Rory McIlroy will have a voice in negotiations between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf's backer, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), though he won't be joining Tiger Woods and Patrick Cantlay on the policy board.

A quick refresher for those not playing fantasy negotiation committees: In November, McIlroy — after two years as the PGA Tour's de facto anti-LIV spokesperson — stepped down from the six-member policy board, citing a desire to refocus on golf (Jordan Spieth took his place). Tiger, Cantlay, Webb Simpson, Adam Scott, and Peter Malnati sit on the board.

At some point, Webb Simpson — a longtime friend of Rory's — requested to step down, with the caveat that McIlroy replace him until the end of his term (2025). McIlroy agreed, noting his relationship with PIF chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan and eagerness to see golf unified.

“I think I can be helpful,” McIlroy said last week. “I don’t think there’s been much progress made in the last eight months, and I was hopeful that there would be.”

McIlroy's stance appears at odds with Tiger and Cantlay, who believe the PGA Tour can evolve without relying on the Saudi's sovereign wealth fund. Earlier this year, Strategic Sports Group (SSG) — a consortium of American sports owners — infused the PGA Tour with up to $3 billion, creating PGA Tour Enterprises, a for-profit branch dedicated to commercial endeavors. Woods is vice president.

Ahead of the Wells Fargo Championship on Wednesday, McIlroy said his efforts to rejoin the board were rejected.

“It got pretty complicated and pretty messy. I think with the way it happened, I think it opened up some old wounds and scar tissue from things that have happened before. I think there was a subset of people on the board that were maybe uncomfortable with me coming back on for some reason.”

“Friends can have disagreements or not see eye to eye on things,” McIlroy said at Quail Hollow about Tiger. “I think that's fine. We had a really good talk last Friday for 45 minutes just about a lot of different things…I think we might see the future of golf a little bit differently, but I don't think that should place any strain on a relationship or on a friendship.”

In a statement to Golf.com, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said McIlroy's inability to rejoin the board was a matter of process, not position. Simpson expressed hope that McIlroy would end up playing a role in negotiations.

“Webb remaining in his position as a member of the Policy Board and PGA Tour Enterprises Board through the end of his term provides the continuity needed at this vital time,” Monahan wrote. “We are making progress in our negotiations with the PIF and are working as a collective — the Player Directors, our Boards and Tour management — to remain open-minded to all avenues that advance the Tour in the best interest of our players, our partners and, most importantly, our fans.”

On Thursday, the PGA Tour announced that Valero Energy Corp. CEO Joseph W. Gorder as inaugural chairman of PGA Tour Enterprises' board of directors. A transaction subcommittee was created, which includes Tiger, Rory, Scott, Monahan, player liaison director Joe Ogilvie, and Boston Red Sox owner John Henry.

“I had a really good hour-and-a-half Zoom with those guys on Sunday…about the future product model and everything,” McIlroy said. “I'm not on the board, but I'm in some way involved in that transaction committee. I don't have a vote so I don't—have I guess a meaningful say in what happens in the future, but at least I can feel like I can be helpful on that committee, and that was sort of a compromise for I guess not getting a board seat.”

On the course, McIlroy, the world no. 2, carded a strong 4-under 67 at the opening round of the Wells Fargo, the sixth Signature Event of the PGA Tour season. He trails Xander Schauffele (-7) by two strokes. Cantlay (+2) is tied for 49th.

McIlroy, who earned his 25th career PGA Tour victory last week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, is gunning for his fourth career win in Charlotte.

Stars from the PGA Tour (including Tiger) and LIV Golf will reunite for the second time in 2024 next week in Louisville, for the PGA Championship at Valhalla. Three-time PGA champ Brooks Koepka, who just won at LIV Singapore, is the defending champ.

McIlroy won his fourth and last major championship, the 2014 PGA Championship, at Valhalla.