Shocking moment Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods completely ignore each other at PGA Championship – amid reports their friendship has ‘soured’

The reports of Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods‘ deteriorating relationship came to life on Thursday at the PGA Championship as a frosty exchange between the pair was caught on camera.

As the two crossed paths at Valhalla, they didn’t greet one another – let alone look in each other’s direction – during the first day of the tournament.

At the time of writing, Woods is one-over-par through 10 holes while McIlroy is one-under through 11.

The interaction – or lack thereof – comes amid reports from Golf Digest that Woods and McIlroy’s relationship has ‘soured over the past six months’ yet ‘remains cordial’.

McIlroy resigned from his position on the PGA Tour board in November, though the Northern Irishman had looked set to return to that role in recent weeks as the organization continues its negotiations with LIV Golf.

Rory McIlroy (third right) and Tiger Woods didn’t even acknowledge each other on Thursday

The pair were known to be close friends but their relationship has reportedly ‘soured’ of late

However, the board reportedly voted against McIlroy’s re-inclusion, and according to The Telegraph, Woods was one of the player-executives who voted ‘no’ on a McIlroy return.

The board also comprises of Patrick Cantlay, Peter Malnati, Adam Scott and Jordan Spieth.

McIlroy acknowledged that ‘old wounds had re-opened’ in his failed reintegration to the board.

‘It just got pretty complicated and pretty messy,’ he said at the Wells Fargo Championship last week.

‘With the way it happened it opened up some wounds and scar tissue from things that have happened before. And I think there was a subset of people on the board who were uncomfortable with me coming back on for some reason.’

Woods and McIlroy were known to be close friends but have differed in their stances on how the PGA should deal with the Saudi-backed LIV tour.

McIlroy was initially a hugely staunch critic of the league, but U-turned 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 collaboration with LIV following the PGA’s recent deal with the Strategic Sports Group.

‘Financially, we don’t [need that] right now,’ he said.

The Northern Irishman and Erica Stoll tied the knot in 2017 (pictured at the 2023 Ryder Cup)

The monies that they have come to the table with and what we initially had agreed to in the framework agreement, those are all the same numbers. Anything beyond this is going to be obviously over and above. We’re in a great position right now.

McIlroy’s appearance at the PGA Championship comes amid his divorce from his wife Erica Stoll, which was confirmed by his communications team earlier this week.

The pair had been married for seven years and share one daughter, Poppy.

McIlroy’s communications team stressed his ‘desire to ensure this difficult time is as respectful and amicable as possible.’

Related Posts

“[Greg Norman] Would Go Absolutely Apesh*t at Me”: Ex-Caddie, Who Claimed Tiger Woods Treated Him Like a “Slave”, Once Revealed

You might know Steve Williams as a former caddie for Tiger Woods. He was on Woods’s bag from 1999 to 2011. During their time together, Woods won 63 PGA…

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s golf league announces new recruit who will play defining role

TGL, the tech-infused golf league being pioneered by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, will launch in just a few months and fans have been given a glimpse…

Amanda Balionis reveals she was left shaking over Tiger Woods interview which caused her to lose sleep

Amanda Balionis revealed that she was visibly shaking when she first interviewed Tiger Woods early into her days as a reporter for the PGA Tour. Speaking to Links Magazine, Balionis…

Tom Kim issues apology after criticism from golf fans for breaking unwritten PGA Tour rule

Tom Kim has issued an apology after the PGA Tour star was criticized for hitting his putter into a green during the final round of the FedEx…

‘Losing to [Phil Mickelson] Doesn’t Feel Very Good’: Tiger Woods Exposed Tense Equation With LIV Golfer Years Before Their Rift

In the field of golf, there is no doubt that one of the most exciting rivalries that has been witnessed is that between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. Their rivalry…

Oregon football head coach Dan Lanning receives Tiger Woods text about hole-in-one

Dan Lanning recently made his first hole-in-one at the Pebble Beach Par-3 course. Dan Lanning and his Oregon football team will begin their 2024 season on August 31st at home…