Rory McIlroy said the main sticking points holding up a deal between the PGA Tour and Saudi backers of the rival LIV Golf circuit are the U.S. Department of Justice and conflicting views from players on both sides.

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

So it’s no wonder an agreement between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf has not yet been finalized. The U.S. Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee of Investigations (PSI) has held three separate hearings related to the PGA Tour’s pending deal with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF),