Rory McIlroy has echoed comments from Jordan Spieth and Adam Scott that Tiger Woods "needs to be involved" in crunch talks with Public Investment Fund governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan.
During what turned out to be a hugely entertaining Players Championship last week, rumblings emerged that Al-Rumayyan was open to the idea of holding private talks with PGA Tour members.
The six players on the PGA Tour Policy Board - Spieth, Scott, Patrick Cantlay, Webb Simpson, Peter Malnati and Woods - were being encouraged to hold face-to-face talks with the LIV chief.
According to Sports Illustrated, the meeting is being held in the Albany Resort in the Bahamas where Woods hosts his annual fundraising golf tournament.
Rory McIlroy left the PGA Tour Policy Board last year
GETTY
With Woods not playing at the Players Championship, there were some questions whether he would be present for any meeting taking place.
Spieth and Scott both encouraged Woods to be involved in talks with the Aussie star urging everyone to "get on with it".
McIlroy, who stepped down from the PGA Tour Policy Board at the end of last year, agreed with the notion that Woods needed to be involved.
When asked whether he felt Woods's involvement in talks with PIF was necessary, McIlroy bluntly replied: "I mean, he's a player director.
"He's on the board, so absolutely he needs to be involved."
McIlroy, who finished tied-19th at the Players Championship, also revealed that he was fully in favour of positive discussions with Al-Rumayyan.
But the four-time major winner also took another public shot at LIV chief Norman, who he feels has let down the PIF governor.
"I think I've said this before, I have spent time with Yasir and his -- the people that have represented him in LIV I think have done him a disservice, so Norman and those guys," McIlroy said.
Tiger Woods is expected to be involved in the meeting
GETTY
"I see the two entities, and I think there's a big, I actually think there's a really big disconnect between PIF and LIV.
"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."
LATEST SPORT NEWS:
Public Investment Fund governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan is willing to hear from the PGA Tour
GETTY
He added: "Look, they're a sovereign wealth fund.
"They want to park money for decades and not worry about it.
"They want to invest in smart and secure businesses, and the PGA TOUR is definitely one of those, especially if they're looking to invest in sport in some way."
