One Year After Calling LIV Golf ‘Dead in the Water,’ Rory McIlroy’s New Stance About Greg Norman Led Tour Isn’t Surprising

In a recent press conference held for the PGA Championship, Rory McIlroy seemed to avoid commenting about LIV Golf and related questions. He does not want to speculate anything about their future given his last prediction proved to be terribly wrong.

Rory McIlroy has seen a lot of success in his career and holds a long list of records to his name. The Irish player has won the US Open, the Open Championship, and so much more. He earned his maiden PGA Tour in 2010 and since then has pledged his allegiance to the American tour. So, when his colleagues and the world’s best golf players chose to change tours and moved to the Greg Norman-led LIV Golf, it was indeed hurtful for the Irishman.

The current and previous stance of Rory McIlroy on LIV Golf

Although lately, McIlroy has recognized the positive outcome of LIV Golf formation and has accepted its benefit for the elite players. “LIV coming along, it’s definitely had a massive impact on the game, but I think everyone who is a professional golfer is going to benefit from it going forward,” he admitted. And at the PGA championship conference when asked “Where does he think the professional game will bein 3 years?” he answered, “He doesn’t have a crystal ball,” and neither does he want to speculate about it.

In the course of last year, McIlroy, as an unofficial spokesperson for PGA Tour, had criticized LIV and its defectors. In February of last year, top PGA players denied the possibility of their switching tours, which led him to believe their words. As per Mirror, speaking at last year’s Genesis Invitational held at Riviera Country Club, the former World No.1 said. “Yeah, yeah. Who’s left? Who’s left to go? I mean, there’s no one. It’s dead in the water in my opinion. I just can’t any reason why anyone would go.” Were his words.

Also Read: Rory McIlroy Makes His Feelings Very Clear About Dustin Johnson, and Other LIV Golf Defectors: ‘Very Nuanced Situation’

This prediction of the four-time major champion proved to be very disappointing, as the immediate future held something exactly different. Before this remark from McIlroy, star players Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau denied their moving to the Saudi league despite rumors. And the irony in which fate played a hand, both the players switched leagues within four months.

LIV Golf’s track of brilliant success despite the backlash

LIV Golf is soaring high with its unbelievable success in such a short time. The league which was founded in 2021 only has seen a significant rise. The lucrative tour has managed to lure big players and went on to sign the likes of Phil Mickelson, Cameron Smith, Brooks Koepka, and many other PGA players. And they are getting huge compensation for their move. In what looks like a newly adopted policy, the PGA Pro seemed to avoid making any comments on LIV Golf and choose to rather maintain a dignified silence.

Interestingly, the four-time major winner was also offered a mind-blowing figure of $500 million by LIV to change tours. But proving his loyalty towards the American Tour, the Irishman stayed put with PGA. Luckily, the current World No. 3 has still the major advantage of getting the OWGR Ranking, which is a huge miss for the LIV Players.

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As a PGA loyalist, McIlroy has expressed his annoyance with LIV Golf over time, but it looks like he is changing his strategy now.