Following a wild week in the world of golf that saw the PGA Tour announce a merger deal with the Saudi PIF (Public Investment Fund), Rory McIlroy has lavished praise on PIF governer Yasir Al-Rumayyan.

• Related: Report: Despite rumblings of LIV’s demise, a meeting took place yesterday that tells a different story

McIlroy was speaking after his first round at the RBC Canadian Open, where the Ulsterman shot an opening round of 1-under par. Asked by media if had he previously talked or played golf with Yasir Al-Rumayyan, McIlroy revealed:

“Yeah, so I played a pro-am with Yasir in Dubai a few years ago. And then I’ve seen him — I was with him at a Formula 1 race randomly a couple years ago in Austin. I saw him in Dubai at the end of last year.

So he’s obviously been in and around the golf world and obviously the wider sports world. So he’s sort of, he runs in the same circles as a lot of people that I know.”

Asked for his impression of the man, McIlroy spoke glowingly, saying:

“I would say he’s an avid golfer. I think he really does like the game of golf. He likes playing it. He’s a very impressive man. Harvard Business School. Runs 7 or 800 billions worth of dollars and invested in a ton of different companies. He’s a very smart, impressive man.”

Earlier this week, Rory spoke out on how he hopes LIV will now disappear following the stunning merger deal, saying:

“I still hate LIV. I hope it goes away. And I would fully expect that it does. And I think that’s where the distinction here is. This is the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour and the PIF. Very different from LIV.”

What the future of golf looks like and what LIV as an entity looks like going forward remains to be seen.

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After shooting 5-under 67 in his opening round at this week’s RBC Canadian Open to grab a share of the round one lead, Chesson Hadley made some interesting comments to the media.

• Related: Report: Despite rumblings of LIV’s demise, a meeting took place yesterday that tells a different story

The 297th ranked player in the world was asked about the PGA Tour merging with the Saudi Arabian PIF, and concluded he may be owed something for “staying loyal” to the PGA Tour.

• Related: ‘One of the saddest days in the history of pro golf’ – Brandel Chamblee blasts PGA Tour-LIV merger

“Is it true that Jay said he’s going to reward those who stayed loyal to the Tour? Did he say that?”

The interviewer said they weren’t sure of the details of Monahan’s statement, but Hadley continued.

“I think he said that about Rory and Tiger, didn’t he? Anyway. I would like to be rewarded for some loyalty. I mean, I felt those guys didn’t do the wrong thing, who went to LIV. They made a business decision. I don’t hold that against anybody. But I would like to be rewarded for my decision to stay loyal.”

There is no indication that Hadley ever received an offer from LIV.

The 35-year-old added that he’s been in the dark just like the rest of us when it comes to the PGA Tour’s plan going forward.

“The older I get the more I would like to be involved out here. But this is my 10th year and I kind of know how things go,” Hadley explained. “I guess most of the time when they’re making changes they have a little bit more detail. Obviously we just have a very, very broad and general framework.

“So, there’s some long-term things that I would like to see and some short-term things, obviously, we just don’t know anything short-term. So, hopefully, they can get a move on it and they can start giving us some answers to a lot of the questions that we have. Because I, I mean, I know nothing. I know as much as you know.”

He will tee it up on Friday at Oakdale Golf and Country Club for round two of the RBC Canadian Open.

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There was never going to be a low-key reaction to Tuesday’s volcanic news of the the PGA Tour-PIF merger deal.

• Related: Report: Despite rumblings of LIV’s demise, a meeting took place yesterday that tells a different story

In the midst of the Canadian Open and Scandinavian Mixed, it seems every player has been asked their reaction to the stunning news. It has amazed many that Rory McIlroy – champion spokesman for the PGA Tour over the past few years – has even managed to swing the club this week, especially after receiving some abuse from those that clearly feel the system needs the chance to open up.

• Related: ‘One of the saddest days in the history of pro golf’ – Brandel Chamblee blasts PGA Tour-LIV merger

Away from the players, reporters have understandably hung on every word said by current PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan as well as McIlory, ultra pro-LIV Phil Mickelson and Brandel Chamblee, golf broadcaster and involved in some of the strongest public rows with Lefty and recent PGA Championship victor, Brooks Koepka.

Yesterday, Chamblee, analyst for Golf Channel, tweeted his thoughts on the potential linking up of the various organizations, boldly stating that he felt at some point, the merger would be blocked.

If it’s not blocked by the player board, it will likely be blocked by the DOJ, and if not that regulatory committee, the senate … and then the regulatory review of the EU and equivalent bodies in Asia. This is a long way from being a done deal. https://t.co/XajJYQh3yC

— Brandel Chamblee (@chambleebrandel) June 8, 2023

Responses were very much on the line that if stopped, players would go directly to LIV or a similar organization. Either way, that this would be a major problem for the PGA Tour (and associated companies).

The 60-year-old then appeared on the Rich Eisen Show to put across his position in person rather than via social media.

Host Eisen initially asked Chamblee how he was – referring to Koepka’s brutal tweet once Monday’s news had hit the media.

“I’m doing a welfare check on you – how are you?” asked the host.

His guest confirmed he was “very well,” while laughing as he spoke.

“How do you take that tweet from Brooks?” asked Eisen before being told, “I laughed at it.”

Chamblee then went to town, starting with a retort to Monday’s insult.

“If you can find any laughter in that day, the fact that they thought it as a cause of celebration was quite humorous on the LIV side. I don’t think they’re that bright,”

“Because if the deal goes through” Chamblee continued. “it will lead to the destruction of LIV, which means their boss – their route back to the PGA Tour – is Jay Monahan, and I believe, and their fine gets doubled, based on their gloating that day.”

Chamblee then went on to say how he felt things might progress for the most vocal of LIV players should they be involved in the association.

“So, Phil, Brooks, Bryson, I don’t think they fully understand the ramifications if the deal goes through. They are all out of a job.”

Explaining his thoughts, Chamblee continued.

“They’ll have no place to play golf other than major championships, who haven’t really made any movement to talk to LIV players, cos they have different parameters to the PGA Tour.”

“But I tell you,” he advised them, “their avenue back through golf is going to be a highly penalized one to play the PGA Tour.”

Now getting into the swing of it, Chamblee gives his damning verdict on the player’s behaviour over the past few months.

“They [Mickelson and Kopeka amongst others] wouldn’t have done their case any favors with their quoting on social media.”

Thanks to @chambleebrandel for the chat.

He thinks LIV is going away. I’m not so sure. Adult conversation within. https://t.co/xCOQ1MgzVA

— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) June 9, 2023

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