A Phil Mickelson Pat and a Greg Norman Thank You Note. Did Rory McIlroy Just Turn the Harbinger of Peace?

For the past two years, Rory McIlroy has witnessed the LIV Golf-PGA Tour battle from the front line. He has felt the heat, burned a few bridges, and lost a few friends, most recently the one he perhaps thought he wouldn’t lose. So, when McIlroy came to the Overlap podcast and said, “I wouldn’t say I’ve lost the fight against LIV, but I’ve just accepted the fact that this is part of our sport now,” it drew a gasp from a few and a chuckle from the others. But surprisingly, it drew commendation from those with whom he has been fighting.

Phil Mickelson, from the other side, extended his hand, calling this an opportunity to make amends. So did Greg Norman afterwards. That’s a lot of things to gulp at once on New Year’s Eve. So, let’s pause a moment and actually take stock of the situation. Is this a watershed moment? Or is this a sign that a watershed moment came and passed unnoticed, and we are just noticing its after-effects?

Rory McIlroy has accepted the post-LIV Golf reality

Nothing perhaps hammered home that LIV Golf is here to stay more than Jon Rahm’s signing. Like many PGA Tour loyalists, Rory McIlroy, too, swallowed the bitter pill. But let’s not blind ourselves to the fact that he didn’t exactly roll out the red carpet for the breakaway league.

Even now, the Northern Irish golfer is not the most ardent fan of LIV Golf. McIlroy would still prefer LIV to leave, but now that he realizes it’s not going to happen, he would rather make a compromise. A one-off event like the Indian Premier League in cricket.

Like in the IPL, golfers would cut across the globe to play a few events and then be back on the Tour again. A non-disruptive event. That’s what the four-time Major winner would prefer. The PGA Tour’s earlier experiment with a global Tour didn’t end well. But LIV’s financial backing might make it work this time around. But the 24-time PGA Tour winner’s acceptance also indicates that a future without PIF is impossible.

However, the hot pursuit for money also puts the Tour in a position where it runs the risk of losing its identity and the cherished meritocracy. Rory McIlroy’s comments evince that the Tour is in a precarious situation. Jay Monahan doesn’t have access to a war chest that has stored $775 billion. But that might soon change.

Is this the moment that ushered in peace?

Phil Mickelson, who famously said no team would take the 34-year-old because of his tantrums, refrained from throwing a jab at Rory McIlroy. “Let’s not use this as an opportunity to pile on. Rather, it’s time for me and others to let go of our hostilities and work toward a positive future,” the Lefty wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Greg Norman, too, in the Fairway to Heaven podcast, lauded Rory McIlroy for the courage to “fall on his sword.” “I’m very appreciative of what Rory said. I say, ‘Hey, thank you, Rory’. This is a significant turning point for everybody.” Coming from the Great White Shark, the architect of the league, this was rather surprising, considering how rarely the former World No. 1 has spoken on the matter publicly.

If the PGA Tour and LIV Golf come to terms before April and Monahan emerges unscathed, perhaps he, too, should thank Rory McIlroy for his ‘courage.’ But that doesn’t take away the fact that this ongoing battle has taken a heavy toll on the Tour and its players, as the 34-year-old’s revelation shows.

McIlroy’s comments show the Tour’s quandary

“You’re never going to win a fight if you’re going money for money because we’ve seen that in other sports, where no one is spending money like the Saudis.” McIlroy was echoing Jay Monahan’s “irrational threat” comments. Unfortunately, the PGAT commissioner has gone down the very same path that the four-time Major winner found unsustainable.

“Now you’re seeing some sponsors are pulling out because the Tour is asking for so much money and the sponsors can’t afford it.” The departure of Wells Fargo and Honda doesn’t look so jarring in this context. “They’re asking sponsors to pay $20 to $25 million to sponsor an event, but they’re not seeing the value in it as they can’t guarantee the top 50 guys will be playing.” Hence, the PGA Tour brought in Signature events that smack of LIV Golf from the purse size to the format.

Read More: Jon Rahm Was Behind Rory McIlroy’s ‘Sudden Turnaround’? LIV Golf CEO Adds a Surprising Twist

As both parties remain committed to the framework agreement, signature events can also be an accommodative measure for future collaboration with LIV. Phil Mickelson and Greg Norman’s comments also indicate that both parties are weary of exchanging blows and want to call it even. Months or perhaps a year later, considering the Senate’s keen interest in the clandestine dealings, McIlroy’s frank admission might be seen as the moment when LIV Golf finally established its footing in the golf world.

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