Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images
McIlroy had been the most outspoken critic of LIV, but times and opinions change as the Irishman made very clear.
As we ring in the New Year, the division in golf between the PGA Tour and LIV has reached it’s peak. LIV’s signing of reigning Masters champion Jon Rahm last month was the latest, and biggest blow to the PGA Tour.
As talks with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) resume, PGA Tour ardent supporter Rory McIlroy joined the English podcast, Stick to Football.
They covered a wide range of topics, including McIlroy hilariously getting snubbed for an autograph by his childhood hero, Roy Keane.
But things took on a more serious tone when McIlroy was asked about LIV Golf. Thus far, the 34-year-old Irishman had been the most outspoken critic of the Saudi tour.
That appears to have changed.
“I think what LIV has done, it’s exposed the flaws in the system of what golf has… we’re all supposed to be independent contractors and we can pick and choose what tournaments we want to play. But I think what LIV and the Saudis have exposed is that you’re asking for millions of dollars to sponsor these events, and you’re not able to guarantee to the sponsors that the players are going to show up,” McIlroy said.
He would then touch on how a number of PGA Tour sponsors have pulled out of events in recent months. Days after Rahm signed with LIV, Wells Fargo, a title sponsor, announced they will discontinue their partnership with the PGA Tour after 2024.
“I can’t believe the PGA Tour has done so well for so long,” McIlroy said.
On its face, the 4-time major champion is not wrong. Some of the best players in the world have left for LIV, weakening the overall talent pool on tour. Yet, the PGA Tour has been asking for more, not less from their sponsors to keep up with LIV financially.
Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images
But what’s really interesting is that McIlroy’s response came to the question of: “What is it fundamentally that you don’t like about LIV Golf?”
For McIlroy’s mind upon hearing that question to immediately go to defending the Saudi tour is in stark contrast to his position previously. He even detailed why.
“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 in Tiger Woods’ position,” he said.
“I’ve gone through the last two years with this altruistic approach where I’ve looked at the world the way I’ve wanted to see it… 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.”
To some degree, his comments feel disingenuous. It’s as though he was tired of being ridiculed for being propped up as the proverbial knight in shining armor for the PGA Tour.
But at the same time, his recognition that most players who joined LIV do not have the same opportunities, and revenue streams, as he does sounds authentic.
Either way, McIlroy made it clear he still believes the two tours will come together soon. That’s despite all of the evidence pointing in the opposite direction. Even if the Tour and the PIF come to a deal, the writing is on the wall; LIV Golf is not going anywhere anytime soon.
Kendall Capps is the Senior Editor of SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms.
