Rory McIlroy has admitted he was “too judgmental” of the first golfers that left the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf.
The Northern Irishman has been a vocal opponent of the Saudi-backed breakaway tour since its official launch in June 2022, reiterating last year that he “still hates” LIV Golf and would rather retire than compete on its circuit.
Four-time major champion McIlroy joined Tiger Woods in criticizing players who resigned their PGA Tour status to compete for guaranteed prize money on the new series, as a host of legal disputes unfolded between the two warring tours.
Those disputes were ended by the shock reconciliation announcement between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf last June.
Having failed to reach an agreement by the initial deadline of December 31, the two sides continue to work towards finalizing the proposed framework for joining forces, with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan telling players in a memo sent Sunday that negotiations had made “meaningful progress.”
World No. 2 McIlroy, who resigned from his role on the PGA Tour policy board in November, said he had “accepted reality” that LIV Golf was “part of our sport now” and expressed regret at being “judgmental” of the first players to join the breakaway tour.
“I think that was a bit of a mistake on my part because I now realize not everyone is in my position or in Tiger’s position,” McIlroy said on Stick to Football, a podcast hosted by Sky Sports presenter and former Manchester United footballer Gary Neville.
“You get this offer and what do you do? We all turned professional to make a living playing the sports that we do and I think that’s what I realized over the past two years, I can’t judge people for making that decision.”
McIlroy fine with ‘smart’ Rahm’s departure
McIroy said he had no issue with Jon Rahm departing the PGA Tour in arguably LIV Golf’s biggest coup to date, following the December announcement that the Spanish world No. 3 was set to sign a three-year, $300 million deal, according to ESPN.
The merger “legitimized what LIV was trying to do,” McIlroy argued, making it easier for players like Rahm to make the switch.
“Jon Rahm’s not got any of the heat the first guys got for going … it’s a smart business move, it’s opportunistic. I think he sees that things will come back together.
“If that is what he wants to do and he thinks that’s the right decision for him and his family, then who am I to say any different at this point?”