Rory McIlroy Set To Make Shock Return To PGA Tour Policy Board - Report
The World No.2 could be returning to the PGA Tour policy board as a player director once again after stepping down from the role last November


Rory McIlroy is reportedly set to make a surprise return to the PGA Tour policy board, six months after stepping down from his role as player director.
The Guardian reports that US Open champion Webb Simpson, who has been a player director on the PGA Tour policy board since 2023, has tendered his resignation and requested for McIlroy to take his place.
According to the report, McIlroy will be subject to a vote on Wednesday over taking on director roles on both the PGA Tour’s policy board and PGA Tour Enterprises, a new commercial venture created through investment from Strategic Sports Group (SSG) that is designed to give players an opportunity to hold equity in the tour.
McIlroy made the shock decision to resign from the PGA Tour’s policy board last November to "focus on his game and his family", after he had been an outspoken advocate for the tour amid the so-called civil war with LIV Golf.
However, the men’s professional game has remained in a fractured state, with negotiations between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) – which bankrolls LIV Golf – continuing to be in flux.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and Rory McIlroy
McIlroy’s return to a leadership role could help expedite matters, with the Northern Irishman apparently having close relationships with key stakeholders like the DP World Tour and Fenway Sports Group, which is part of SSG. He has also historically had friendly relations with PIF governor Yasir al-Rumayyan.
The World No.2 has long been a proponent of re-unifying men’s professional golf, having said recently: “The game is way better with all of us together.”
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
"I actually think there's a really big disconnect between PIF and LIV," he said at last month's Players Championship. "I think you got PIF over here and LIV are sort of over here doing their own thing. So the closer that we can get to Yasir, PIF and hopefully finalize that investment, I think that will be a really good thing.”
McIroy’s return to the position will need approval from the 12 members of the PGA Tour policy board, which includes player directors Tiger Woods, Adam Scott, Patrick Cantlay, Peter Malnati, Jordan Spieth and Simpson.
It comes as McIlroy reaffirmed his desire to play for the PGA Tour for the remainder of his career, after the 34-year-old was subject to rumors last week that he would be joining LIV Golf.
McIlroy will be looking to bounce back from disappointing finishes at the Masters and RBC Heritage at this week’s Zurich Classic in New Orleans.
Joel Kulasingham is freelance writer for Golf Monthly. He has worked as a sports reporter and editor in New Zealand for more than five years, covering a wide range of sports including golf, rugby and football. He moved to London in 2023 and writes for several publications in the UK and abroad. He is a life-long sports nut and has been obsessed with golf since first swinging a club at the age of 13. These days he spends most of his time watching, reading and writing about sports, and playing mediocre golf at courses around London.
-
David Corben And Harry Crockett Stage Late Comeback To Win Sunningdale Foursomes
The pairs tournament went down to the final hole in what was a dramatic conclusion to the famous event
By Michael Weston Published
-
Rory McIlroy Reunited With Old Clubs After Near $1000 Uber Ride
The four-time Major winner switched back to his old clubs at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, with the Uber trip to get them costing a near $1000
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Rory McIlroy Reunited With Old Clubs After Near $1000 Uber Ride
The four-time Major winner switched back to his old clubs at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, with the Uber trip to get them costing a near $1000
By Matt Cradock Published
-
The Incredible Numbers Behind Justin Thomas' Historic Second Round At The Players Championship
The American produced an incredible second round at the famous TPC Sawgrass, with Thomas rewriting a number of records on Friday
By Michael Weston Published
-
9 Big Names To Miss The Players Championship Cut
A number of Ryder Cup stars, Major winners and former World No.1s are heading home early at TPC Sawgrass
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Allowing LIV Golfers, Starting A Champions Dinner And Adding A PGA Tour University Route... 7 Ways To Elevate The Players Championship And Bring It Even Closer To The Majors
With all the talk of the Players Championship being a possible fifth Major, we look at seven changes that could elevate the event to the highest level of men's pro golf
By Paul Higham Published
-
Wyndham Clark Withdraws From The Players Championship
Last year's runner-up withdrew due to a neck injury after playing nine holes of his second round on Friday
By Elliott Heath Published
-
'To The Brandel Chamblees, To The Paul McGinleys To The Rocco Mediates Of The World, I Don't Regret Anything I Said' - Collin Morikawa Issues Emotional Reply To Critics
The two-time Major winner told his critics that he doesn't regret his words after saying he doesn't owe anyone anything following his decision to not speak to the press on Sunday at Bay Hill
By Elliott Heath Published
-
‘Honestly, I Went And Sat In My Car For A Few Minutes Afterwards And Just Kind Of Let It Hit Me A Little Bit, Maybe Let A Tear Out’ - Players Championship Rookie On Emotional Last-Minute Call-Up For 'Dream' Event
Danny Walker shared how he dealt with learning he would be competing in the Players Championship for the first time mere hours before round one
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
‘I Think It’s Dead, I Think The Other Side Is Gone’ - Lee Trevino Gives Take On PGA Tour-LIV Golf Divide And Calls For Players And Caddies To Speed Up
Lee Trevino was full of praise for the PGA Tour and its immediate future, as he believes that a deal with the Saudi PIF may not come at all
By Paul Higham Published