McIlroy was met with pushback last week when he indicated his desire to rejoin the PGA Tour’s policy board as negotiations continue with PIF.
It was reported that Woods and McIlroy’s relationship had ‘soured’ in recent months due to differing views on how they see the future of golf.
McIlroy dismissed any suggestions the pair had fallen out during the Wells Fargo Championship, insisting: “No, there’s no strain there.
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy ignored each other. ESPN
“I think we might see the future of golf a little bit differently, but I don’t think that should place any strain on a relationship or on a friendship.”
Woods echoed McIlroy’s sentiments that he had no hard feelings towards his business partner regarding their stance on the future of golf.
He said this week: “Well I think that we see the — it’s good to see it differently, but collectively as a whole we want to see whatever’s best for all the players, the fans, and the state of golf.
“How we get there, that’s to be determined, but the fact that we’re in this together and in this fight together to make golf better is what it’s all about.”
And the pair were pictured in the car park at Valhalla this week sharing a laugh with one another to further quell any suggestions they had fallen out.
On Thursday, McIlroy’s group teed off after Woods, Adam Scott and Keegan Bradley.
It meant that the TGL business partners were bound to cross paths on the course and they did so at one stage during the first few holes.
But they both blanked one another as Woods made his way down some steps while McIlroy walked up to the tee box.
Tiger Woods is long odds to win the PGA Championship this week
Woods kept his head down the whole time while McIlroy similarly appeared to look the other way as they crossed paths.
The 15-time major champion was seen as a lone wolf during the peak of his career, often ignoring and snubbing his biggest rivals on tour.
It was part of what made Woods the player he became, but that attitude has softened in recent years as he’s formed closer friendships on tour with the likes of McIlroy and Justin Thomas.
Rory McIlroy dismissed rumours of a rift with Tiger Woods
Woods entered this year’s PGA Championship at long odds to win his 16th major with questions being asked on how much longer he’ll be able to compete at the top level.
