Over the past several months, there hasn’t been a player in professional golf who has been more outspoken in his criticism of Saudi-backed LIV Golf as the upstart tour tried to poach golf’s top talent with promises of massive cash prizes. Now, with news that the PGA Tour was merging with LIV Golf, McIlroy appears to have changed his tune a bit.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Rory McIlroy was asked his thoughts on the merger and he had quite a surprising response given his previous comments, revealing that he thinks the move will ultimately be good for professional golf.
“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.
🚨“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.” —RORY MCILROY
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) June 7, 2023
A big reason for McIlroy’s confidence appears to be his trust in the PGA Tour and commissioner Jay Monahan. McIlroy understands that the Saudi Arabian government was going to continue to funnel money into professional golf through its Public Investment Fund. But this way, at least the PGA Tour will be determining how that money is spent.
Rory McIlroy: "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."
— Brentley Romine (@BrentleyGC) June 7, 2023
“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.
All in all, McIlroy seems to be very positive about the news, which is surprising given his outspoken criticism of LIV Golf previously.
