Rory McIlroy has appeared to scale back his hardline stance against LIV Golf in recent months, but that doesn’t mean the star from Northern Ireland is considering switching allegiances.
In separate interviews in January, McIlroy admitted he had been “too judgmental” of the Saudi-backed LIV circuit and the players who signed there, and he said there should be no punishment for LIV players who would wish to return to the PGA Tour.
McIlroy was asked in an on-camera interview on Thursday whether he’s considered joining LIV as the PGA Tour’s negotiations with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund continue.
In short, the money doesn’t sway him.
“It’s not for me,” McIlroy said. “I’m too much of a traditionalist. I love winning golf tournaments and looking at the trophy and seeing that Sam Snead won this trophy or Ben Hogan or Gene Sarazen or Jack Nicklaus or Gary Player, Tiger Woods, Nick (Faldo), whoever it is. The people that came before me.
“That, to me, is a big deal in our game.”
McIlroy nonetheless struck a conciliatory tone about the reunification of men’s golf.
“If we were to all put our heads together and be like, okay, what can we do to all come back together and move forward and be a little more cohesive?’
“Then I would sort of be for that,” he said on Thursday. McIlroy served on the PGA Tour’s policy board as a player director until he stepped down last November, citing personal and professional commitments.
It is unclear when or whether the tour and the PIF will finalise their “framework agreement” from last June after a self-imposed December 31 deadline came and went.
In the meantime, LIV Golf has attracted the likes of Spaniard Jon Rahm, and CEO Greg Norman has said the circuit is already working on setting its 2025 schedule.
What golf is live on Sky Sports this week?
The PGA Tour stays in Florida for the Arnold Palmer Invitational, where McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler are among the big names who feature. Early coverage begins from Bay Hill on Friday at 12.45pm, with full coverage from 7pm. Stream the PGA Tour and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – just £21 a month for 12 months. No contract, cancel anytime.
Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight showdown with Francis Ngannou takes place on Friday March 8, live on Sky Sports Box Office with the main event expected around 11pm. Book Joshua vs Ngannou now!
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Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight showdown with Francis Ngannou takes place on Friday March 8, live on Sky Sports Box Office with the main event expected around 11pm. Book Joshua vs Ngannou now!