Rory McIlroy has by no means had any curiosity within the Saudi-backed LIV Golf.
Nor did LIV Golf have any curiosity in him, in response to McIlroy.
“I used to be by no means supplied any cash [from LIV],” McIlroy mentioned. “All I’ve tried to do is shield what the PGA TOUR is and what the PGA TOUR stands for.”
It’s no shock that McIlroy had no curiosity, however many believed he turned down an enormous nine-figure provide. That apparently shouldn’t be the case.
All through 2022, LIV Golf supplied lots of of tens of millions of {dollars} to the largest stars on the PGA Tour.
Phil Mickelson reportedly obtained $200 million to hitch LIV, whereas different notable names, akin to Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau, cashed in tens of millions too.
Whereas some gamers flocked in the direction of fast monetary achieve, McIlroy remained true to himself and the PGA Tour, as he additionally labored to try to enhance the tour for the longer term.
But, the way forward for males’s skilled golf modified dramatically on Jun. 6, 2023.
“I feel the one factor that I feel was actually misconstrued was all of the headlines had been PGA TOUR merges with LIV,” McIlroy mentioned. “LIV’s acquired nothing to do with this, proper? The PGA TOUR, DP World Tour, and the Public Funding Fund are mainly partnering to create a brand new firm.”
Regardless of McIlroy carrying the PGA Tour flag for the previous couple of years, he feels this new entity will assist the sport of golf in the long term.
“Whether or not you prefer it or not, the PIF goes o maintain spending cash on golf,” McIlroy admitted. “A minimum of the PGA TOUR now controls how that cash is spent. So, you realize, when you’re occupied with one of many greatest sovereign wealth funds on the earth, would you quite have them as a accomplice or an enemy? On the finish of the day, cash talks, and you’d quite have them as a accomplice.”
