McIlroy: PGA and LIV 'too far apart' for deal to happen

Rory McIlroy believes the rift between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf is too wide, effectively negating any chance for a reunification in the ‍sport of golf.

"I just don't see a world where it can happen at this ​point," the world No.2 McIlroy said on Wednesday at Emirates Golf Club ahead of this week's Dubai Desert ⁠Classic.

McIlroy's comments came on the heels of the PGA Tour reinstating former LIV Golf team captain Brooks Koepka through a new Returning Member Program that offers a window for select players to return.

A very vocal critic of LIV Golf, McIlroy said he doesn't feel ‌either side ever will ​make appropriate concessions in order for a proper reunification.

"I don't see ‍a world where the two or three sides, or whoever it is, will give up enough," said the 36-year-old.

"For reunification to happen, every side is going to feel like they will have lost, where you really want every side to feel like they have won.

"I think ​they are just too far apart for ‌that to happen."

Last week, McIlroy took aim at LIV Golf when he told the Telegraph of ​London: "It's not as if they made any huge signings this year, is it? They ‍haven't signed anyone who moves the needle, and I don't think they will."

McIlroy, who owns a career grand slam among his 29 PGA Tour victories, ​then turned ​his attention to his future goals ​on the golf course.

"Olympic medal. Open at ​St. Andrews. Yeah, maybe like a US Open at one of those like old, traditional golf courses -- whether it's Shinnecock this year or Winged Foot or Pebble Beach or Merion," he said.

"I would have told you two years ago, if I won the Masters, it would have been great and I could have retired or whatever. But when you keep doing things, the goalposts ‍keep moving and you just keep finding new things ​that you want to do."