Rory McIlroy often finds himself at the center of the conflict between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, and has distinguished himself as one of the breakaway tour’s strongest critics.
Rory McIlroy is said to be left heartbroken after the PGA Tour announced he was teaming up with LIV Golf following their bitter year-long feud.
In June, the PGA Tour reached a shock settlement with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) that would end its dispute with LIV Golf. The story revolves around two tournaments that led to arguably the worst year in professional golf, after the sport was split in two.
One man who expressed his strong feelings throughout the dispute was McIlroy, who claimed to represent the PGA Tour players.
The former world number one has emerged as one of LIV’s biggest critics, making news of the proposed merger even harder to accept for the four-time major champion. The old rivals are expected to work together in the “NewCo” entity, which is expected to bring together players from both sides of the divide.
For McIlroy, this could prove awkward after his strong stance against the LIV critic. And according to Alan Shipnuck, author of the upcoming book “LIV & Let Die”, the Northern Irishman certainly has mixed opinions with his fellow footballers.
Shipnuck told the Times:
“There’s a big difference in the way Rory is perceived. I respect Rory because he’s willing to say what a lot of people are thinking and he’s shown a lot of courage and conviction. Unfortunately for Rory, he’s also an idealist and thinks he’s fighting for something bigger than himself.
“Then the guys with the money came along – Jimmy Dunne and Ed Herlihy [PGA Tour director] – and they completely sold him out and broke his heart. Rory learned a bitter lesson about real world. Idealism only goes so far and money always wins.” .”
After the framework’s announcement in June, McIlroy himself admitted that he felt like the “sacrificial lamb” who led the PGA Tour’s defense against LIV Golf. Speaking at the RBC Canadian Open, he said:
“It’s hard for me not to feel like I’m a sacrificial lamb.
“I have put myself out there. I can see that this is better for golf. As an individual, there are going to be conversations.” Despite the proposed unison, it appeared McIlroy was in no mood to change his opinion on the Saudi-backed league. “I still hate LIV Golf,” he added.
“You have to look that in ten years it is going to be good for the game. I don’t understand a lot of the intricacies of what is going on. Whether you like it or not, the PIF were going to keep spending money in golf. How can you get the money into the game and spend it in the right way. At least the PGA Tour can now control that. At the end of the day, money talks.”
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