A look at Rory's compilation, reading the Ryder Cup

In interview no The Scotsman, Rory McIlroy said it's possible for LIV golfers and PGA Tour golfers to last “they are doing their own thing for the foreseeable future.” The interview followed an interesting pairing at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship where McIlroy played with both PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan. What do you make of McIlroy's test?

Josh Sens, senior author (@joshsens): It comes as a confirmation of what has seemed obvious for a while now: the two are going their separate ways, with little intention of crossing paths outside of the occasional big televised event. The Tour, it seems, is comfortable enough with its private investment that it cannot continue for now. And LIV, which doesn't need money and probably won't, can do the same. None of this is particularly good news for fans, but it's never taken too seriously in any of this.

Zephyr Melton, assistant editor (@zephyrmelton): Bad news for those who want to see a unified professional game in the near future. Here's to hoping things can be fixed sooner rather than later. Each year that goes by with a broken game does more damage – and the fans are the biggest losers.

Dylan Dethier, senior author (@dylan_dethier): It's impossible to black out those two answers, so let's talk about the process. As I understand it, the Saudi PIF's involvement with the PGA Tour will begin with an investment in PGA Tour Enterprises, the Tour's new for-profit arm. And then, with the gradual approval of the Department of Justice, things (more or less, depending on the cooperation of a few key parties) are finally moving toward consolidation. But yes, we are not on the verge of a solution, I don't think.

The next Ryder Cup may be almost a year away, but you wouldn't know it at this week's press conference with captains Keegan Bradley and Luke Donald. Another surprising read was that Donald was in contact with European legend and LIV Golfer Sergio Garcia, he is apparently considering joining the DP World Tour in hopes of being able to play in Bethpage next fall. Use your glass ball, will Garcia and other LIV golfers like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton be on the European team next September?

Senses: Rory McIlroy has said he hopes Rahm will qualify, and you have to bet enough other powerful voices in the game feel the same way that it will. We all have to hope it will. It makes for a better tournament, and if nothing else, golf fans deserve a few more days of Sergio Garcia playing in front of hostile crowds in New York—assuming Donald sees the state of Sergio's game—or his Ryder Cup history—enough of a pick.

Melton: Hatton and Rahm need to be in the Euros to field their most competitive team, but I'm not sold on Segio. He's still playing decent golf, but as the European team showed last summer, they have plenty of young talent to lean on. Maybe he will be part of the team as an assistant captain?

Dethier: Rahm will be there. Hatton will be there. Sergio has been very good at LIV (and he played well at Pinehurst) so it's not out of the question. Not sure which other LIV pros would be in contention for the European side – Paul Casey? Richard Bland?! – but the point of Sens, if Garcia is upset by the unruly crowds at the Open Championship who is worthy this summer, Bethpage will be an attractive cauldron to throw her…

Speaking about the Ryder Cup, American captain Keegan Bradley, who used to sneak into Bethpage Black when he was in college, he said he expected the New York crowd to cheer “proudly and loudly.” He said he wants it to be a difficult place to play for both teams, but, “no one on either team wants this to be uncomfortable or awkward there.” What kind of atmosphere do you expect in Long Island?

Senses: Sorry, but that's like saying, we're going to have a meeting with the rabbit in the python hole but we really hope there are no injuries or hurt feelings.

Melton: There will be chaos and hostility in the Euros. New York sports fans are not particularly kind to opposing teams, and the Ryder Cup will be no different. Expect lots of jeers and off-the-cuff heckling — and a few takedowns, too.

Dethier: I expect the atmosphere to be uncomfortable for both again strange. As we saw last fall, fans in Europe don't have much restraint — but they definitely have more than their Long Island counterparts. It will be glorious and, at least a few times, more.

Almost two weeks after the event ended, we still hear about the controversy of Tom Kim cursing the President Cup. At this time, American team member Wyndham Clark gave his opinion on the events on “The Loop” podcast. Is this kind of chippiness an issue or does this help legitimize the rivalry in the Presidents Cup?

Senses: Insignificant, lofty things that make it into the headlines in today's world. But it would legitimize the 'conflict' if there was a conflict in the first place. It will not be like this when one side always beats the other. The President's Cup is not a rivalry. Abusive relationships.

Melton: It sounds like a nothingburger. In sports, sometimes there's a little trash talk — and that's okay! There is no need to put off the slightest disagreement.

Dethier: I think it's just a story because it's clear that both sides still feel something about it. This will, in one way or another, be the lasting legacy of this year's Presidents Cup – emotions running high on both sides. There may not have been a whole lot of bad blood, but things were tense from Montreal. That's not a bad thing.

PGA Tour visited Black Desert Resort in Irvins, Utah – not far from Zion National Park – at the first Black Desert tournament this week where tktkt did something like this. Should the PGA Tour be looking at some of these unique places in exotic locations?

Senses: Of course. In moderation. Variety is good, especially if it provides a respite from the cookie-cutter courses that are so common on Tour. And the more people get to visit Zion, the better. What a park!

Melton: The photos and videos I've seen have been great, and it's great to see Tours visit unusual places. I don't mind seeing more diversity in the destinations the Tour goes to. Lord knows there are a few tours on the calendar that could use a shakeup.

Dethier: I don't think the Tour needs to chase exotic places, but thinking outside the box is welcome. And I think this week's Utah stop was a great choice for a fall event; it looks and plays well and feels very different from the parkland country club variety. I'm expecting relatively poor ratings, but hopefully, once Cowboys-Lions becomes epic a few of you turn to the Golf Channel to see the red rocks and epic vistas of the Black Desert (and one of golf's hottest players, Matt McCarty). . Now if only we could get the Tour to stop by Boston, Chicago, and Seattle…