Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods were spotted sharing a friendly moment at Valhalla Golf Club, despite recent reports of tension between the two PGA Tour stars.

Both competed at the PGA Championship in Kentucky, but it was their contrasting political views that made headlines. The longtime friends are now also business partners ahead of the launch of TGL, an innovative golf tournament featuring top PGA Tour players.

However, their relationship is said to have ‘soured’ due to differing views on the PGA Tour’s ongoing saga with LIV Golf in recent months.

McIlroy, who resigned from the Tour’s Policy Board last November, recently expressed interest in returning amid negotiations with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), but His application was rejected by current player directors, including Woods.

“It gets pretty complicated and messy,” he said last week. “The way it played out, it left some wounds and scar tissue from what had happened before and I think there was a small segment of the board who were not comfortable with me coming back for that reason. for some reason.

“I think the best course of action is, if there [are] some people there who are uncomfortable with coming back, then I think Webb [Simpson] should stay and finish out his term. He’s got to get to a place where he feels comfortable doing that, I just have to keep doing what I’m doing.”

Despite reports of a falling out, the pair appear to be on good terms in Kentucky, as they were seen chatting and smiling together. While at the event, Woods was asked about his differing views with McIlroy, commenting: “It’s good to see it’s different, but overall, we want to see what’s best for all the players , fans and team status. golf how we get there, that’s to be determined.

But the fact that we’re in this together and fighting together to make golf better is what it’s all about.”

In doing so, the four-time major champion confirmed that despite their contrasting thoughts, the pair remain friends. “I mean, I think friends can have disagreements or not see things – I guess not – not see eye to eye on things but have disagreements on things,” McIlroy said. “I think that’s okay.

But no, I won’t – we had a really good conversation last Friday for 45 minutes about a lot of different topics. No, there is no tension at all. I think we might look at the future of golf a little differently, but I don’t think that’s going to put any strain on a relationship or a friendship.”