While Tiger Woods remains the biggest name in golf, it is fair to say that Rory McIlroy is probably the most influential figure on the PGA Tour at the moment.
The Northern Irishman took a leading stance against LIV Golf soon after the founding of the Saudi-backed tour, something that took a huge toll on him on a personal level. In fact, he would step away from the PGA Tour Policy Board as a result of the pressure he had put himself under.
McIlroy admitted in recent times that he was keen to rejoin the board, with the player keen to push through a deal between the two tours over the coming months. However, it was revealed in recent days that his candidacy had not been accepted by the board members.
Speaking this week at Quail Hollow, McIlroy said a 'subset of people on the board' had blocked his return.
There was a subset of people on the board that were maybe uncomfortable with me coming back on for some reason.
I think it just got pretty complicated and pretty messy and I think with the way it happened, I think it opened up some old wounds and scar tissue from things that have happened before.
That came as somewhat of a surprise, especially when you consider his influence on the PGA Tour. The likes of Patrick Cantlay, Jordan Spieth, and Tiger Woods are currently on the board, leading to suggestions that not all is well with Rory McIlroy's relationship with that group.
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Rory McIlroy relationship with Tiger Woods has 'soured'
Rory McIlroy does not see eye to eye with Patrick Cantlay, something the Down man has openly admitted in the past. He also has his ups and downs with Jordan Spieth, although they largely seem to get on well.
As for Tiger Woods, it was previously apparent that the pair had a very close relationship. Woods had taken McIlroy under his wing over the last decade or so, sharing quite a bit of advice with him and spending time together away from the course.
They were seen as the two driving forces behind recent changes on the PGA Tour, even becoming business partners to set up the upcoming indoor competition The Golf League.
However, it has been suggested that the pair are no longer as close as they once were.
According to Golf Digest, the relationship between Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods has 'soured' over the last six months or so. In fact, Woods even went as far as to vote against reinstating the 34-year old to the PGA Tour Policy Board.
This is how their current relationship is summed up.
The McIlroy-Woods relationship, sources tell Golf Digest, has also soured over the past six months. It remains cordial, yet their different views on the future of professional golf has led to a falling out of sorts.
Rory McIlroy is keen for the PGA Tour to come to some sort of arrangement with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) in order to ensure the long-term health of professional golf.
It has previously been suggested that Tiger Woods is not as keen on a potential partnership, with Jordan Spieth and Patrick Cantlay openly rallying against any deal with PIF.
The Telegraph report that Woods voted against McIlroy's return to the board, along with Spieth and Cantlay. Adam Scott and Peter Malnati, the other two players on the board, voted in favour of his return. However, a 3-2 result against the move meant that it was not ratified.
Such a move would certainly suggest that Woods no longer prioritises his relationship with Rory McIlroy in the way that he once did.
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