Almost two years ago, Rory McIlroy didn’t want to be part of the LIV Golf defection. Since then, he has completely changed his position.
McIlroy has softened his stance on LIV golfers in recent months, but ahead of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am he praised the players’ decision to participate in the Saudi-backed league.
Back in July 2022, McIlroy told those who left the PGA Tour to “just go over there” and “don’t try to come back and play here again.”
At Pebble Beach on Tuesday, he seemed to welcome these players back with open arms.
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Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy hits a shot during the Pro-Am as a prelude to the DP World Tour Championship on November 14, 2023 at the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estate in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (David Cannon/Getty Images)
“I think life is about choices. Some people choose to go and play at LIV, and some people choose to stay here. Those who are still eligible to be on this tour come back and play. If you want to, if you want to try something, let’s do it.’They’ll come back,” McIlroy said, via the Guardian.
McIlroy also believes there should be no penalties for those who want to return to the PGA, and admitted he has “changed”. [his] Please adjust it.
“I understand the situation in golf and I understand that the reduction of the PGA Tour and the reduction of the LIV Tour and other events is not good for both sides,” he said. “To make the game better, it would be much better to stay together and move forward together. That’s my opinion. So for me, it’s about getting everyone together and starting playing as soon as possible and I think it’s perfect for golf as long as we can start creating the strongest field possible. ”
McIlroy gave Jon Rahm a soft landing as he headed to LIV to sign.
Team Europe’s Rory McIlroy celebrates with his 16 1/2-hour to 11 1/2-hour victory after the 2023 Ryder Cup Sunday singles match at Marco Simone Golf Club in Rome, Italy, October 1, 2023. Jon Rahm. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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“It’s hard to sit here and criticize John because he’s a great player and what I went through with him. What I’m saying is it’s a shame we don’t play him more regularly in the future. That’s it,” McIlroy said shortly after Rahm’s announcement.
“He seems to want to live his life the right way. He wants to be a good father, he wants to be a good husband. He can’t criticize someone for making a decision that he thinks is best for him. .”
Ironically, Rahm has previously been critical of LIV, once saying that $400 million would not change his lifestyle.
However, Rahm joined LIV amid rumors that the offer reached $600 million.
Before the Ryder Cup, where European LIV golfers are not eligible to play, McIlroy said he felt Brooks Koepka should be on the U.S. team, which he ultimately did — making him the only player in the 2023 Rome tournament. LIV golfers (Rahm and Tyrell Hatton had not yet participated).
Team Europe’s Rory McIlroy celebrates with his 16 1/2-hour to 11 1/2-hour victory after the 2023 Ryder Cup Sunday singles match at Marco Simone Golf Club in Rome, Italy, October 1, 2023. Jon Rahm. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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With Rahm’s departure, McIlroy said the European Tour “will have to rewrite the rules for Ryder Cup qualification.”
“There’s no doubt we’ll have Jon Rahm on the next Ryder Cup team,” McIlroy said of his Team Europe hero. Rahm has a 6-3-3 record in more than a dozen Ryder Cup games, including a perfect 4-0-0 in four-man play.
The two leagues are still negotiating the deal, which they announced will return in June.
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