Rory McIlroy: World number three to tee up with key duo involved in LIV talks

Rory McIlroy hopes the presence at the Dunhill Links Championship of the two men centrally involved in talks aimed at ending the split in men’s professional golf is a “good sign” progress is being made.

McIlroy, competing with father Gerry in this week’s pro-am event in Scotland, will play on Friday at Kingsbarns alongside PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, who is paired with Billy Horschel this week.

World number three McIlroy will then tee up with the boss of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) Yasir Al-Rumayyan and South African LIV golf player Dean Burmester at St Andrews on Saturday.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund underwrites the 48-competitor LIV Golf league which has signed up many of the world’s best players over the last three years including Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Smith and Dustin Johnson.

Monahan and Al-Rumayyan will be in the same fourball along with their professionals on Thursday’s day one when they tee off at Carnoustie.

“There’s no better place than the home of golf to try and get everyone together and talking,” McIlroy told BBC Sport NI.

“I think it’s a great thing and good sign that Jay and Yasir are going to play together. And obviously you’ve got quite a big contingent over from LIV that are playing in this event.”