Despite Considering LIV Golf a ‘Massive Impact’ on Golf, Rory McIlroy Strikes at Phil Mickelson’s ‘Flawed Argument’ With His Latest Comments

The 2023 Memorial Tournament is all set to get underway at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio, with its 120-player field boasting several of the biggest names in golf. The coveted event is the latest in the PGA Tour’s hectic schedule, which is in stark contrast to LIV Golf.

After all, the Saudi-backed league has only 14 tournaments in 2023, something Phil Mickelson highlighted in a recent tweet. However, the LIV pro’s comments haven’t sat well with World No. 3 Rory McIlroy. Ahead of appearing at Muirfield, the golfer pointed out the one flaw in Mickelson’s argument against the PGA Tour!

Rory McIlroy denounces Phil Mickelson’s latest argument

LIV Golf DC, the seventh event in the league’s 14-event schedule, drew to an end last Sunday. Now, there is almost a month left until the next event in Valderrama kicks off. This has given LIV pros ample time to prepare for the year’s third major, the 2023 U.S. Open.

Just recently, Phil Mickelson spoke out in favor of LIV’s schedule after fellow compatriot Brooks Koepka‘s amazing feat at the PGA Championship. “Love LIV or hate it, it’s the best way/Tour to be your best in the majors,” the 6-time major winner wrote in a tweet. “14 LIV events, 34 weeks left open to prepare for the 4 majors. Fact.” However, Rory McIlroy has certain qualms with the golfer’s statement!

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Speaking to the press ahead of the Memorial Tournament, the Irishman pointed out that while the PGA Tour featured plenty of events, no one was obligated to appear in them all. “You know, no one makes anyone play 25 events on the PGA Tour. 15’s the minimum. So you can play 15 and your four major championships, and there you go. You’re at 19,” McIlroy expressed. “No one’s making you play that many. So I think that’s a pretty flawed argument.”

The 34-year-old’s comments come after he acknowledged LIV’s significant impact on golf earlier this year. The positive remarks surprised many since McIlroy has always been one of the harshest detractors of the LIV league.

What is Rory McIlroy’s current stance on LIV Golf?

Last year, when the Saudi-funded LIV Golf was trying to find its footing, Rory McIlroy put the league on blast. “It’s dead in the water in my opinion,” he had said. Over a year since his infamous statement, the 4-time major winner appears to have somewhat changed his stance on LIV.

Earlier this year, McIlroy confessed that the emergence of the LIV league had paved the way for a lot of innovation on the PGA Tour. He admitted that the new series had had a “massive impact on the game“, something professional golfers will greatly benefit from. His acknowledgement of LIV even pleasantly surprised the league’s CEO, Greg Norman, who praised the former World No. 1 for his change of heart.

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What do you think of McIlroy’s latest remarks? Do you think golfers from the LIV league will emerge successful once again at the year’s third major? Tell us in the comments!