Rory McIlroy has eased his criticism on those who left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf as of late, and his recent comments are incredibly telling when Phil Mickelson’s stance is considered
Phil Mickelson’s admission that LIV Golf has made him fresher for major tournaments may put Rory McIlroy on notice after his ‘hard slog’ comment.
A tectonic shift battered professional golf in 2022, when the Saudi Arabian PIF-backed LIV Golf emerged to compete against the old guard PGA Tour, stealing away some of the sport’s top names, notably Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm, as well as a host of other major champions.
McIlroy was one of golf’s finest who stood firm and lashed out at those abandoning the tour, but as years have gone by, a resolution and merger between the two parties teeters on being sorted. The North Irishman’s stance has, therefore, weakened, and he has even become critical of his own circuit.
Describing the PGA Tour’s calendar as a ‘hard slog’ as he debates withdrawing from the RBC Heritage, one of the breakaway golfers, six-time major winner Mickelson, shed light on his decision to jump ship – giving McIlroy something to think about.
Having been fined £2.3million in 2023 for missing the Heritage, McIlroy took aim at the PGA this month when describing their packed and tiresome schedule.
“There’s a few tournaments that I played this year that I don’t usually play and that I might not play next year,” McIlroy told the Daily Telegraph. “Well, at this point in my career, I’m 35 and have been out here for 17, 18 years. I’m just going to go to the places that I enjoy and where I play well. Look I’ve done the hard slog, I’ve done that sort of 25 to 30 events a year. I’m not getting any younger.”
Adversary Mickleson used this exact fact to rally for LIV, and explain his choice to switch sides, taking to social media to describe how the rival outfit has left him feeling fresher for major titles.
McIlroy has not won a major title in 10 years ( Image: (Image: Getty))
“Love LIV or hate it, it’s the best way/Tour to be your best in the majors. Enough events to keep you sharp, fresh and ready, yet not be worn down from too many tournaments or obligations. 14 LIV events, 34 weeks left open to prepare for the 4 majors. Fact,” Mickelson wrote on X in 2023.
Perhaps the similarities between what McIlroy wishes for and what LIV provides could balance out to form the perfect medium if the proposed merger – that saw negotiations begin in 2023 – were to come to fruition. McIlroy also spoke out about his hopes for the merger this month.
US presidential election winner Donald Trump took to the Let’s Go podcast, saying it would take him “the better part of 15 minutes” to sort of this “golf civil war.” McIlroy hopefully responded.
“Given what’s happened, I think that [Trump winning] clears the way a little bit,” McIlroy told reporters after Trump’s victory. “He might be able to. He’s got Elon Musk, who I think is the smartest man in the world, beside him.
“We might be able to do something if we can get Musk involved, too. I think from the outside looking in, it’s probably a little less complicated than it actually is. Trump has a great relationship with Saudi Arabia. He’s got a great relationship with golf. He’s a lover of golf. So, maybe. Who knows?”
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