Rory McIlroy: Embrace PGA Tour-LIV Golf Merger, ‘Get Over It’
Rory McIlroy, the four-time major champion, has delivered a blunt message to those opposed to a potential merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf: accept it and move on.
In an interview last week, McIlroy urged his fellow golfers to embrace reunification for the betterment of the game.
"I think everyone has just got to get over it, and we all have to say, ‘OK, this is the starting point and we move forward.’ We don’t look behind us, we don’t look to the past," McIlroy said. "Whatever has happened has happened, and it’s been unfortunate. But reunification, how we all come back together and move forward, that’s the best thing for everyone."
McIlroy acknowledged that some individuals may harbor resentment towards players who defected to LIV Golf. However, he believes that these grievances should be set aside in the pursuit of a united sport.
"If people are butt-hurt, or have their feelings hurt because guys went or whatever, like who cares? Let’s move forward together and let’s just try to get this thing going again and do what’s best for the game," McIlroy said.
McIlroy’s stance represents a significant shift from his earlier opposition to LIV Golf. He initially criticized the Saudi-backed league, but has since come to believe that its emergence has ultimately benefited the PGA Tour.
"LIV has ultimately benefited everyone, as the purses for winning PGA events have increased," McIlroy said. "That would have never happened if LIV hadn’t have come around."
McIlroy cited the Genesis Invitational as an example, where the winner took home $4 million from a total purse of $20 million.
Adam Scott, a member of the PGA Tour board, acknowledged that some members may have reservations about reuniting with former LIV golfers.
"I wouldn’t be surprised – or I wouldn’t judge anyone, the members – if reunification happened and they weren’t happy with how it happened," Scott said. "I wouldn’t hold it against anybody if there were negative emotions attached to it, the thought of players coming back."
Scott was part of a delegation that met with former President Donald Trump to discuss a potential reunification, at the request of PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan.
"It’s not been an easy thing to solve, otherwise we’d have solved it, I believe," Monahan said.
Despite the challenges, McIlroy’s message remains clear: reunification is the best path forward for the PGA Tour and the game of golf as a whole.
"For whenever it gets solved, McIlroy’s message will ring loud and clear to those upset," the Associated Press reported.
