Rumours of $1.3b deal tie McIlroy to startling backflip

Rory McIlroy, arguably LIV Golf’s fiercest critic, has been linked with a bombshell move to the rebel league on a figure that would blow the most lucrative deals signed so far out of the water.

The Northern Irishman is said to be “close” to linking a deal worth $US850m ($A1.32bn) according to UK publication City A.M., with the superstar also reportedly requesting a 2 per cent stake in LIV Golf.

The news comes as LIV chief Greg Norman was seen at The Masters on the weekend, following McIlroy’s group around Augusta National, even though the star claimed he had not seen the LIV boss.

If McIlroy was to sign, it would be the biggest scalp for Norman and the rebel league, after the game’s biggest star Tiger Woods knocked back a deal worth more than $1 billion to stay loyal to the PGA Tour.

Rory McIlroy has been a vocal critic of LIV Golf.

The London-based newspaper wrote: “Two separate sources have told City A.M. that they believe a deal is close.”

Neither McIlroy nor LIV Golf have released statements despite media requests.

McIlroy has not been shy in directing venom at LIV since its bold plan to pry players away from the PGA Tour, but his stance has softened in recent months, since both sides entered negotiations over a deal to have professional golf under one umbrella.

He stated he felt like the “sacrificial lamb” once the warring parties sat down.

“I think what LIV has done, it’s exposed the flaws in the system of what golf has … we’re all supposed to be independent contractors and we can pick and choose what tournaments we want to play,” he said in January.

“But I think what LIV and the Saudis have exposed is that you’re asking for millions of dollars to sponsor these events, and you’re not able to guarantee to the sponsors that the players are going to show up.

“I can’t believe the PGA Tour has done so well for so long.”

If McIlroy does make the switch, it would be the biggest signing since Masters winner and McIlroy’s former Ryder Cup teammate Jon Rahm, who signed on the dotted line for a reported $US500 million ($AUD777 million) last year.

McIlroy is scheduled to compete at the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage tournament this weekend.