Rory McIlroy denies reports of rift with Tiger Woods

Rory McIlroy said Thursday that “friends can have disagreements” when asked about his relationship with his friend and business partner, Tiger Woods.

But McIlroy denied there is a rift between the two golf stars.

In a media session at the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte, a reporter asked McIlroy if his “relationship with Tiger is strained.”

“I think friends can have disagreements or not see eye to eye on things, I think that’s fine,” McIlroy said (via Golf.com).

The question stemmed from recent developments involving McIlroy’s role in determining the future of golf, namely the PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger. McIlroy had been expected to rejoin the PGA Tour Policy Board (he had resigned several months ago), but told reporters Wednesday he would not be rejoining the board. He called the situation “uncomfortable,” “complicated,” and “messy” and said it “opened up some old wounds and scar tissue from things that have happened before.”

That prompted rampant speculation among golf insiders that Woods, along with fellow policy board members Jordan Spieth and Patrick Cantlay, “had been working together to block McIlroy’s appointment,” according to Golf.com.

McIlroy said he and Woods had talked at length recently.

“We had a really good talk last Friday for 45 minutes about a lot of different things. There’s no strain there,” McIlroy said. “I think we might see the future of golf a little bit differently, but I don’t think that should put any strain on our relationship or on our friendship.”

McIlroy also added that while he’s not on the policy board, he’s taking an active role in helping plot the PGA Tour’s future.

“I’m not on the board but I’m in some way involved in that transaction committee,” McIlroy said. “I don’t have a vote, so I don’t have a meaningful say in what happens in the future, but I feel I can be helpful in that committee and that was sort of a compromise for not getting a board seat.”

[Chris McKee on Twitter/X]