RORY McILROY believes healing the rift between the golf establishment and LIV Tour rebels is almost the sporting equivalent of Northern Ireland's peace process.
Ulsterman McIlroy was willing to try to broker a deal between golf's warring factions, despite criticism from American stars Patrick Cantlay and Jordan Spieth.
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While McIlroy has been one of the most vocal critics of the Saudi-backed LIV and its desertions, he has taken a more positive line recently.
But he drew parallels with the issues that have plagued the North as peace prevailed after the troubles of the 1990s to admit that a deal will not be easy.
McIlroy said: “We have this window of opportunity to do it.
“I wouldn't say both sides should do it, but it makes sense.
“I kind of liken it to when Northern Ireland went through the peace process and the Good Friday agreement.
“Neither side was happy. Catholics weren't happy, Protestants weren't happy, but it brought peace.
“That was 1998. Now my generation has known nothing different and we have never known anything but peace.
“It's my small way of trying to think about it and get both sides to see that there could be a compromise here.”
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McIlroy, however, will not return to the PGA Tour's policy board to avoid reopening “old wounds.”
The Hollywood man had been tipped as Webb Simpson's replacement but admitted a “subset” of PGA Tour members opposed his return.
He added: “It got quite complicated and quite messy.
“The way it happened opened up some old wounds and scar tissue from things that have happened in the past.
“There was a subset of people on the board who were perhaps uncomfortable with my return for some reason.
“The best course of action is for Webb to stay and see out his term.
“He's comfortable doing it and I keep doing what I'm doing.”
