Rory McIlroy eases off criticism of LIV Golf, says Jon Rahm’s move was ‘smart business’
Rory McIlroy has slammed LIV Golf and said Jon Rahm’s move was “smart business”.
McIlroy opposed the Saudi-backed competition from the start.
Doug Ferguson | Associated Press • Published 1 hour ago. • Updated 1 hour ago
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland battles Jon Rahm of Spain during the first round of the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia on August 24, 2023.
Rory McIlroy has gone from being LIV Golf’s harshest critic to extending an olive branch. On Wednesday, he told the English Football Podcast that he was too happy with the players’ departures and admitted that LIV was “now part of our sport”.
McIlroy also offered to help him initiate talks with Saudi sponsors of the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. He said he met with the head of the National Investment Fund, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, in Dubai in late 2022. “When I got back to the States, I was on the PGA Tour and I said to the players, ‘Someone needs to talk to this guy.’ A plan was then developed for one of the council members to try to build a relationship. “We’re building it with him.” McIlroy said.
