Reports of Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods’ deteriorating relationship came to life Thursday at the PGA Championship when an icy exchange between the pair was caught on camera.
When the two crossed paths in Valhalla, they did not greet each other, much less look at each other, during the first day of the tournament.
As of this writing, Woods is one over par through 10 holes, while McIlroy is one under par through 11.
The interaction – or lack thereof – comes amid reports of golf summary that Woods and McIlroy’s relationship has “soiled over the past six months” but “remains cordial.”
McIlroy resigned from his position on the PGA Tour board of directors in November, although it appeared the Northern Irishman would return to that position in recent weeks as the organization continues its negotiations with LIV Golf.
Rory McIlroy (third right) and Tiger Woods didn’t even greet each other on Thursday
The pair were known to be close friends but their relationship has reportedly “soiled” lately.
However, the board reportedly voted against reinstating McIlroy and, according to The TelegraphWoods was one of the player executives who voted “no” on McIlroy’s return.
The board also consists of Patrick Cantlay, Peter Malnati, Adam Scott and Jordan Spieth.
McIlroy acknowledged that “old wounds had been reopened” in his failed reintegration to the board.
“It just got pretty complicated and confusing,” he said at the Wells Fargo Championship last week.
‘The way it happened opened up some wounds and scar tissue from things that had happened before. And I think there was a subset of people on the board who were uncomfortable with me coming back for some reason.
Woods and McIlroy were known to be close friends, but differed in their stances on how the PGA should approach the Saudi-backed LIV tour.
McIlroy was initially a very vocal critic of the league, but did an about-face in April when he said the PGA needed to find a way to work with LIV and that golf’s current situation was “not sustainable.”
Woods, meanwhile, has been less open to collaborating with LIV following the PGA’s recent deal with Strategic Sports Group.
‘Financially, no [need that] right now,’ he said.
The Northern Irishman and Erica Stoll married in 2017 (pictured at the 2023 Ryder Cup)
The funds they have come to the table with and what we had initially agreed to in the framework agreement are all the same numbers. Anything beyond this will obviously be overcome. We are in a great position right now.
McIlroy’s appearance at the PGA Championship comes amid his divorce from wife Erica Stoll, which was confirmed by his communications team earlier this week.
The couple have been married for seven years and share a daughter, Poppy.
McIlroy’s communications team highlighted their “desire to ensure this difficult time is as respectful and friendly as possible.”
