Rory McIlroy, one of LIV Golf’s biggest detractors and PGA Tour loyalists, shockingly admitted to regretting some of his comments about the rival league funded by the Saudi Arabian government.
When LIV Golf was born, the league led by former PGA great Greg Norman became an immediate competition for the PGA. Unlike many other new leagues, LIV had the uncanny financial might of the Saudi Public Investment Fund and its billions behind it. Which allowed them to poach a plethora of star players from the Tour.
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Those players defecting for huge signing bonuses and unheard-of tournament winnings divided the sport between golfers out for the best paydays possible and those loyal to the legendary PGA. And there was no bigger pro-PGA player and LIV detractor than the No. 2 ranked player in the world, Rory McIlroy.
When it was announced in the spring of 2023 that PGA would be merging with their bitter rivals McIlroy held firm about his intentions of never playing in an LIV event even when the two leagues were under the same umbrella. He even called former PGA players who defected “duplicitous” for turning their backs on the Tour.
Rory McIlroy admits PGA Tour was in a losing battle against LIV Golf
Well, with a merger potentially being close and rumors of many PGA players preferring to be backed by the Saudis instead of certain United States-based investors, the four-time majors champion seems to be changing his tune.
“At this point, I was maybe a little judgmental of the guys who went to LIV Golf at the start, and I think it was a bit of a mistake on my part because I now realize that not everyone is in my position or Tiger Woods’ position,” McIlroy told the “Stick to Football” podcast. “We all turn professional to make a living playing the sports that we do, and I think that’s what I realized over the last two years. I can’t judge people for making that decision.”
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The Irishman also admitted that while competition is good for the sport, the PGA Tour could have a serious problem on their hands if they don’t merge with LIV or land get serious financial backing from elsewhere.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve lost the fight against LIV, but I’ve just accepted the fact that this is part of our sport now,” he said. “Competition is good to help improve the sport of golf overall, but the PGA Tour competing with LIV and the Saudis’ money is completely unsustainable. You’re never going to win a fight if you’re going money for money, because we’ve seen that in other sports where no one is spending money like the Saudis.”
