When LIV Golf and the PGA Tour began their rivalry a few years ago, golf superstar Rory McIlroy was one of the staunchest critics against LIV. But it sounds like he regrets taking such a hard stance against the Saudi-backed league.
During a press conference ahead of the RBC Canadian Open, Rory McIlroy admitted that he regrets his decision to stand so firmly against LIV Golf and wishes he did not assert himself into the debate.
“I think, in hindsight, I wish I hadn’t have gotten involved or not hadn’t gotten involved, hadn’t have gotten as deeply involved in it, and I’ve articulated that,” McIlroy explained to reporters. “I hold no grudge, I hold no resentment over the guys that chose to go and play on LIV. Everyone’s got their own decisions to make and everyone is, has the right to make those decisions.
“My whole thing is I’m just disappointed with what it’s done to, not to the game of golf, the game of golf will be fine, but men’s professional golf and this sort of divide we have at the minute. Hopefully, we’re on a path to sorting that out and getting that to come back together, but in hindsight, I wish I hadn’t gotten as deeply involved as I have.”
Obviously, these words caused a pretty significant reaction on social media.
Rory McIlroy says he regrets getting so involved in the LIV/PGA Tour war:
“In hindsight, I wish I hadn’t have gotten involved.. or not ‘hadn’t have gotten involved’ but hadn’t have gotten as deeply involved in it, and I’ve articulated that.”
Given recent events, I can’t help…
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) May 29, 2024
So he regrets having a moral compass? C’mon, Rory. You should be better than that.
— 🇺🇸Maria🇭🇺 (@NehoNana) May 29, 2024
He was trying to be a team player and his team screwed him over.
— sportsfan_fl (@sportsfan_fl) May 29, 2024
He's so mad he missed out on $800m..and the man he was sticking up for (Sean Monahan) just walks away Scott free
I'd be embarrassed too
— hahaha123 (@MeadeZacha95451) May 29, 2024
He got used by Jay. Rory seems to be a solid dude. Jay on the other hand is only slightly better than the house of Saud.
— Walker Terhune (@WalkerTerhune) May 30, 2024
I really like people who can reflect on the past and see errors they’ve made, analyze them correct themselves. I’ve been liking Rory more lately.
— Chase Coble (@ChaseCoble82) May 29, 2024
McIlroy has certainly softened his stance on LIV Golf recently, and this is just another example.
