Rory McIlroy Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

For a long time, PGA Tour superstar Rory McIlroy was one of the staunchest critics of Saudi-backed LIV Golf. There was a time not too long ago when McIlroy simply would not say a positive thing about LIV. But it seems like those days are over.

During a recent interview, Rory McIlroy actually had some pretty flattering things to say about some of the star players of LIV Golf, making it clear that he thinks the Saudi-backed tour has some of golf’s best players.

“Ultimately [LIV Golf] do have some of the best players in the world that are playing some really good golf,” McIlroy said according to ESPN.

McIlroy has also changed its tune when it comes to the potential re-unification of professional golf. While McIlroy used to resist any talks of LIV Golf players coming back to the PGA Tour or an alliance between the two leagues, it’s now something that he is openly calling for.

“There needs to be a correction. I think what’s happening is not sustainable right now, so something needs to happen to try to bring it all back together so we can all move forward so we don’t have this division that’s sort of ongoing,” McIlroy said.

“They keep going down those different paths and I just don’t see how that benefits anyone in the long run. … I think [it’s] a shame for the overall game of golf.”

McIlroy clearly talks about LIV Golf a lot differently these days.

[ESPN]