Rory McIlroy, the four-time major golf champion, recently had a candid exchange with John Henry, the head of the Strategic Sports Group (SSG), regarding the PGA Tour.
Henry, also known for owning Liverpool and the Boston Red Sox through Fenway Sports Group (FSG), spearheaded SSG’s investment of £1.2 billion ($1.5 billion) into PGA Tour Enterprises. This move came as the PGA Tour aligned with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) to resolve ongoing disputes with LIV Golf.
During their meeting, Henry asked McIlroy if he felt a sense of ownership over the PGA Tour. McIlroy’s straightforward response was, “No.” This interaction occurred during a gathering at Fenway Park, where McIlroy, a co-founder of the innovative golf league TGL along with Tiger Woods, was present. McIlroy and Henry discussed the future of the PGA Tour and SSG’s role in it.
Despite his departure from the Tour’s policy board last November, McIlroy has supported SSG’s involvement. He expressed confidence in the new partnership, highlighting the group’s extensive experience in sports ownership and their positive intentions for the future of golf.
“I definitely would have voted for it,” McIlroy said, emphasizing his belief in SSG’s vision for PGA Tour Enterprises.
Henry’s investment is not his only venture into golf; FSG also supports the Boston Common, one of six franchises in the upcoming TGL. McIlroy, confirmed as a player for Boston Common, acknowledged the collaboration with the Fenway consortium, noting their mutual efforts to advance his TGL team.
This partnership marks a significant development in professional golf, with McIlroy and other key figures looking forward to the positive changes it promises to bring to the sport. As the final details of the agreement between the PGA Tour and PIF remain pending, the involvement of SSG and its substantial investment signal a transformative period for the PGA Tour.
