As Frustrated Rory McIlroy Regrets LIV Golf Obsession, PGA Tour Ally Soothes His Anxiety With 7-Word Statement

The Tuesday before the 2023 RBC Canadian Open surprised everyone, to say the least. Jay Monahan shockingly announced the framework agreement the Tour had struck with LIV Golf while going behind everyone’s back, even Rory McIlroy’s. The Northern Irishman, who had been a staunch PGA Tour loyalist, felt like a “sacrificial lamb” back then. Now, almost a year later, it looks like the golfer has again reflected on his commitment to the circuit and its tussle with LIV: “In hindsight, I wish I hadn’t have gotten involved… hadn’t have gotten as deeply involved in it.”

It would not be wrong to describe the golfer as anxious. Particularly when he was not allowed on the Policy Board by half of the Player Directors and how he expressed his regret ahead of the 2024 RBC Canadian Open in a press conference. However, it’s not as if being remorseful is all that the golfer can be, especially when a fellow European couldn’t help but reveal his thoughts on the 35-year-old, dubbing him as the “best”.

DP World Tour Pro dishes out praises for Rory McIlroy

Tommy Fleetwood was spotted at an interview ahead of the upcoming event at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club. He was asked to rate the top golfers in the world if they were playing at their optimum, to which the English professional expressed his belief in Rory McIlroy: “I still believe from everything that I’ve experienced since I’ve been playing that Rory is the best of our generation. I still believe that.” It’s not a surprise that he conveyed his praise for the athlete, who has won 26 times on the PGA Tour, including 4 majors.

Such praise would have been comforting for McIlroy, who seems to be sporting a regretful mindset. After expressing remorse at his involvement in the whole LIV Golf-PGA Tour fiasco, the 4-time major champ also mentioned how he holds no grudge for the defectors: “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.” Surely one of the many instances where he has made a complete U-turn from dissing the PIF-funded circuit (remember when he said “It’s dead in the water.“?).

Even while being regretful of his actions, the athlete did not shy away from vocalizing his thoughts on how the whole situation affected men’s professional golf: “I’m just disappointed to 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.” Regardless of the dismal situation, McIlroy seems optimistic about the future: “Hopefully, we’re on a path to sorting that out and getting that to come back together.” The optimism isn’t unfounded, especially when looking at the fact that the pro was made part of the PGA Tour Transaction Subcommittee in the negotiations with PIF.

Tommy Fleetwood did go all out when showing his awe of the Northern Irishman. But even McIlroy’s stats (3rd in total strokes gained, 1st in Total Driving, and 1st in Driving Distance, among others) weren’t enough for the golfer to not point out Scottie Scheffler’s effect on the greens.

Tommy Fleetwood compliments Scottie Scheffler after McIlroy

While Fleetwood was dishing out compliments for the 2011 U.S. Open champ, he also intimated how hard it is to say anything against the current No. 1 in the world, Scottie Scheffler. He said, “If you were a betting man, I think it’s very hard to bet against Scottie Scheffler, the way he’s playing. Who knows. It will be a great debate.” The American Pro is currently 1st in Total Strokes Gained, GIR%, and Putting Average, among others.

The European athlete was thus visibly exhilarated to think of the prospect of the best players in the world as well as the OWGR before pointing out how courses also affect the result; “If you get two or three of them playing absolutely their best game, it would be lovely to see. Very difficult question. I think golf courses do make a difference.” 

Well, it does seem like the athlete was true and unbiased in his assessment of McIlroy and Scheffler, especially when one takes a look at the verdict he dished out regarding the majors. Fleetwood, interestingly, stated how the major championships are always a good indicator of evaluating the best players in the world, irrespective of the leagues. “You look at the guys that end up at the top end of that leaderboard on a major, I think it always, for the most part, does them justice.”