While the battle lines between LIV Golf and the rest of the sport have become less pronounced, Rory McIlroy questioned whether LIV-affiliated golfers

Rory McIlroy may not have been in attendance for the in-person meetings between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund last week in New York, but he still knows more than most when it comes to the slowly progressing potential deal between the tour and LIV Golf's financial backers.

The DOJ and "different interests from the players' side" are holding up negotiations, McIlroy said, adding that there is still optimism in the process.