Rory McIlroy forecasts news about deal to heal golf's rift by end of year

Rory McIlroy has welcomed the presence of the key figures in golf's civil war in this week's Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and expects news on a deal "definitely before the year's end".

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan is partnering Billy Horschel in the pro-am event and will be in the same group as Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund - which bankrolls LIV Golf - in Thursday's first round at Carnoustie.

Monahan will then play with McIlroy at Kingsbarns on Friday before McIlroy and Al-Rumayyan will be out together on Saturday at St Andrews.

The PGA Tour, the DP World Tour and the PIF signed a framework agreement in June 2023 but McIlroy said last month he believes scrutiny from the US Department of Justice and a 50-50 split between players on both sides pose the biggest obstacles to a deal being secured.

Speaking during a practice round at St Andrews on Wednesday, McIlroy told BBC Northern Ireland: "You know, there's no better place than the home of golf to get everyone together and talking.

"It's a great thing and a good sign that Jay and Yasir are playing together on Thursday. I think it is a step in the right direction. Time will tell if things go in the direction I want them to or a lot of people want them to.

"I think we all understand it is not easy and, you know, change for the most part in golf is resisted because it is such a traditional sport.

"But I think at this point in time I think change is needed to sort of try and drive the game forward and hopefully we can get to that point."

Asked when that point might be, McIlroy added: "Definitely before the year's end.

"Maybe it is going too slow for the people who follow golf. But I think in the business world deals of this size take