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.

PGA Tour member Michael Kim admits he does not want the PGA Tour to strike a merger deal with LIV Golf after Rory McIlroy claimed some players on both sides of the divide are happy for the split to remain.