Rory McIlroy has discussed his involvement in the PGA Tour’s rivalry with breakaway series LIV Golf, acknowledging that he felt he became overly involved in the sport’s intramural conflict.
Rory McIlroy has acknowledged that he believes he erred in joining the feud between the Saudi Arabia-funded LIV breakaway series and the PGA Tour in golf.
In the midst of the intense rivalry that erupted in 2022 following the founding of the Breakaway Series, McIlroy emerged as the PGA Tour’s most outspoken defender. During the worst of the feud, the Northern Irishman was frequently spotted with commissioner Jay Monahan, expressing his firm belief that players ought to stay with the Tour.
But the world No. 3 has been the first to admit that his playing level suffered because of how much of his energy was being directed toward unrelated tasks. Later, after he decided he wanted to concentrate on winning tournaments once more, he resigned from the PGA Tour players board.
After winning the Wells Fargo Championship and the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, his on-course fortunes have since improved, and he is one of the favorites heading into this week’s Canadian Open. Prior to the competition in Ontario, McIlroy has acknowledged that he believes his strategy for playing LIV was flawed.
Speaking in retrospect, he said, “I’ve expressed that I wish I hadn’t gotten as deeply involved in it, or maybe I shouldn’t have gotten involved at all.
“I’ve stated that I don’t harbor any resentment toward the guys who decided to play on LIV. All individuals possess the autonomy to make their own choices, and they are entitled to do so. My main disappointment is not with the game of golf itself; that will remain unaffected, but rather with men’s professional golf and the current division in the sport.
“Hopefully, we’re on the right track to resolve that and bring things back together, but, you know, looking back is always 20/20, and looking back, I wish I hadn’t gotten as involved as I did.”
McIlroy has previously stated that he thought his handling of LIV was incorrect and that players should be free to rejoin the PGA Tour without facing any penalties. After Ryder Cup teammate Jon Rahm signed a record-breaking £450 million contract to depart the PGA Tour and join LIV, he made the remarks.
In February, McIlroy acknowledged that it wasn’t impossible for him to make the move himself. He has also hinted at doing so in the past. Following remarks made by his former agent Chubby Chandler that the Northern Irishman had a “10% chance” of switching, McIlroy joked, saying, “I think he’s writing a book, so there is that.” I may have seen Chubby in the Middle East at the beginning of the year; we spoke. Never know. He may be somewhat knowledgeable. Who knows?
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