Throughout the entire existence of LIV Golf, there has not been a more vocal critic of the Saudi-backed league than PGA Tour star Rory McIlroy. But after the PGA Tour and LIV Golf announced a merger on Tuesday, McIlroy had a pretty different response.
After months of publically blasting LIV Golf, Rory McIlroy changed his tune during an announcement to the press on Wednesday morning as the PGA Tour star says that he thinks the merger will actually be good for professional golf in the long run.
“I think ultimately when I look at the bigger picture, 10 years down the line, this is going to be good for the game of professional golf,” McIlroy said, according to NUCLR GOLF.
McIlroy explained that belief a little bit, pointing out that if the Saudi Arabian government is going to funnel money into professional golf anyway, it’s better if the PGA Tour is able to control that money.
“The PIF was going to keep spending money in golf, whether you like it or not. At least the PGA Tour controls how that money is spent,” McIlroy said according to Brentley Romine.
It’s a pretty clear shift from McIlroy in the way he views the situation, and people had plenty to say about it on Twitter.
Rory McIlroy is in an incredibly difficult position, says he’s “come to terms” with Saudi investment but they’re going to expect him to be the smiling face of this deal over the next few years.
— Nathan Murphy (@nathanmurf) June 7, 2023
Rory McIlroy looks exhausted & fed up of this year-long circus.
“It’s hard for me not to feel like a sacrificial lamb, I put myself out there.”
He’s right, but still he offers a well-balanced view and doesn’t throw Jay Monahan under the bus when given the opportunity. Bravo.
— Frankie Christou (@FrankieChristou) June 7, 2023
So he’s like a lot of people: basically powerless. Rory McIlroy made powerless within the game of golf because a wealthy, malignant regime chose to use sport as a geopolitical pawn. He knows it, tried to stop it, and has been let down by Monahan & co whether he’ll say it or not.
— Ben Coley (@BenColeyGolf) June 7, 2023
Angry, annoyed, but generally just fed up Rory McIlroy has resigned himself to the PGA Tour taking the Saudi cash
Loads will scoff at him, but he stood up for what he believed in, loyally defended his tour but ultimately got betrayed & let down badlypic.twitter.com/sakAxasXTe
— Paul Higham (@SportsPaulH) June 7, 2023
The way Rory McIlroy was able to save the professional game of golf that we love is not getting celebrated enough.
— Eric Polzin (NinetoFiveSports) (@925_Sports) June 7, 2023
The PGA completely played Rory McIlroy and he should absolutely make it clear he knows it. https://t.co/hIXDouOfSd
— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) June 7, 2023
It will certainly be interesting to see how the whole situation plays out.
