Rory McIlroy says Donald Trump’s election to the United States presidency could “clear the way” for an end to the schism in professional golf.

McIlroy, speaking Wednesday ahead of the DP World Tour’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, the tour’s penultimate event of 2024, said he was unaware of the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund having already come to a deal, reported last week by The Sun, calling it a surprise. “It’s the first that I’ve heard of it,” McIlroy said of the alleged pact. “I know [PGA Tour commissioner] Jay [Monahan] was in Saudi Arabia last week at the FII and was having some meetings. I think I would’ve heard if there was.

“He’s briefing the transaction committee tonight, so maybe some news comes out of that. But as far as I’m aware, I haven’t heard a thing.”

However, McIlroy pointed to Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris as potentially facilitating peace between the two sides.

“Given today’s news with what’s happened in America, I think that clears the way a little bit,” McIlroy said. “So we’ll see.”

Trump is heavily involved with LIV Golf, with the Saudi-backed circuit hosting several of its events at Trump properties. 

More From Golf Digest Race to Dubai In a year of disappointing finishes for Rory McIlroy, here’s a title that looks impossible to lose The Grind Charley Hull’s (forced) cig break, Nelly Korda’s SI Swimsuit nod and Bryson DeChambeau’s big-man-on-campus move PGA Tour-PIF deal Another meeting between the PGA Tour and PIF leaders? Both just attended the same conference in Saudi Arabia

In a separate interview, McIlroy was asked about Trump’s previous claim that he could end the game’s civil war “in 15 minutes.”

“He might be able to,” McIlroy told Sky Sports. “He’s got Elon Musk, who I think is the smartest man in the world, beside him. We might be able to do something if we can get Musk involved, too.

“Yeah, I think from the outside looking in, it’s probably a little less complicated than it actually is. But obviously Trump has a great relationship with Saudi Arabia. He’s got a great relationship with golf. He’s a lover of golf. So, maybe. Who knows?”McIlroy is almost a lock to finish as the DP World Tour’s top best for the sixth time in his career, and can seal the honor this week with a win in Abu Dhabi.

More From Golf Digest Golf Digest Logo The best golf courses in Ireland Golf Digest Logo Our Best Young Teachers in America give us their single best tip

This article was originally published on golfdigest.com