Rory McIlroy took aim at Phil Mickelson on Wednesday, saying his recent comments on the LIV Golf vs. PGA Tour rivalry are not “logical.”
Mickelson told reporters last week that he’s happy he picked the “winning side” in the rivalry, and that “I see LIV Golf trending upwards, I see the PGA Tour trending downwards and I love the side that I’m on.”
McIlroy definitely doesn’t agree.
“I don’t agree with what Phil said last week,” McIlroy said Wednesday (via ESPN). “I understand why he said it because of the position he is in, but I don’t think anyone that takes a logical view of the game of golf can agree with what he said.”
McIlroy went on to accuse the Saudi-backed LIV Golf of using a “ton of propaganda” in a PR effort to cover up human rights abuses in the country.
“I guess for them to be talking the way they are, it’s bold,” McIlroy said. “I think there’s a ton of propaganda being used and all sorts of stuff. I certainly don’t see the PGA Tour trending downward at all.
“All the talent, 95% of the talent is here. You’ve got people like Tom Kim coming through [who is] the future of our game.”
It’s not the first time McIlroy has ripped the fledgling LIV tour, which in addition to paying big money to Mickelson also lured PGA stars such as Dustin Johnson, Sergio García, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed.
In August, McIlroy said what LIV Golf has “done to the world of men’s professional golf is ripped it apart, which is unfortunate.”
McIlroy is competing this week at the CJ Cup at Congaree (S.C.) Golf Club. LIV Golf finishes its season Oct. 30 at Trump National Doral Miami.
[ESPN]
