Besides being a phenomenal golfer with a lot of titles in his cabinet, Rory McIlroy is also known for something else — someone who is not afraid to speak up. Being a part of the golf community golf fans would often get to hear the Nothern Irishman letting out his thoughts regarding different issues surrounding the sport. In fact, because of his proactive personality when it comes to the betterment of the sport, McIlroy was also part of the Player Advisory Council of the PGA Tour back in 2019 and was also a member of the PGA Tour policy board until November 2023. Fans adore this aspect of the golfer and even he is self-aware of that, as he had once famously quoted, “Why wouldn’t I speak my mind? You ask me my opinion and I give it to you. I’m not going to stand up here and lie to you.”

However, McIlroy’s also known to be pretty adamant about his views on various things throughout his career, only to end up doing a complete U-turn, later on. Like the time he initially dismissed the idea of joining the PGA Tour, only to later become a regular member. This willingness to adapt and evolve has been a recurring theme throughout his career. So, here are the 5 instances Rory McIlroy had a change of opinion that left us all surprised!

1. Rory McIlroy’s Olympic U-turn

Rory McIlroy had a pretty dramatic change of heart when it came to the Olympics. Initially, he said he “resented” the games for putting him in a tough spot, having to choose between representing Ireland or Great Britain. Hailing from Northern Ireland, athletes get to choose in this case to represent either Ireland or Great Britain. So, playing the Olympics would mean Rory had to choose a side, which meant questioning his identity. “I resent the Olympic Games because of the position it put me in. That’s my feeling towards it.” But, after watching the Rio Olympics, he admitted that golf’s inclusion in the Games was actually a great thing, as it gave the sport more exposure and he was proven wrong. He ended up playing in the Olympics twice in his career.

2. Rory McIlroy changes his views on the Saudi-backed league

How can we forget Rory McIlroy’s initial disdain for LIV Golf? He was once a vocal critic, even saying he “hated” the league. But, as time passed, his tone softened, and he began to acknowledge the flaws in the traditional golf system that LIV exposed. Recently, McIlroy had a candid conversation with ESPN’s Marty Smith, where he revealed that LIV Golf isn’t for him, citing his love for traditional golf tournaments and the rich history of the sport. He mentioned that seeing the names of golf legends like Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, and Tiger Woods on trophies means a lot to him. While McIlroy isn’t interested in joining LIV, he did express support for reunification and finding ways to bring the golf world together. He’s become more accepting of LIV Golf and wants everyone in golf to get along. This shows that McIlroy is willing to listen and adapt, a sign of a strong leader.

3. Rory McIlroy’s change of heart towards Donald Trump

Rory McIlroy’s stance on playing golf with Donald Trump has been a rollercoaster ride. Initially, in 2017, McIlroy defended his decision to play golf with Trump, saying it was “out of respect for the office.” However, by 2020, McIlroy’s tone had shifted dramatically. He expressed his disapproval of Trump’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that he wouldn’t play golf with him again. McIlroy was critical of Trump’s handling of the pandemic, saying “it’s not the way a leader should act” and that Trump was trying to “politicize” the pandemic.

Fast forward to 2025, and it seems McIlroy has changed his opinion. After playing golf with Trump’s granddaughter and walking with his son at the Genesis Invitational, McIlroy discussed how Trump could help facilitate a deal between PGA Tour Enterprises and LIV Golf’s financial backers. “I played golf with him a few weeks ago. It was great. Yeah, it was really good. It was really good. I thought we had a good discussion. This shift in McIlroy’s stance suggests he’s now more open to working with Trump, despite their past differences.

4. Rory McIlroy’s changed stance of LIV golfers in the Ryder Cup

Rory McIlroy’s views on LIV Golf players participating in the Ryder Cup have been a mixed bag. In 2023, he supported the ban on veteran Ryder Cup players like Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, and Sergio Garcia who joined LIV Golf, even saying Henrik Stenson’s move to LIV Golf was “the best thing to happen to the 2023 Euro Ryder Cup.” However, with Jon Rahm’s surprise decision to join LIV Golf, McIlroy is now calling for a rule change to ensure Rahm’s eligibility for the 2025 Ryder Cup, also expressing his desire to have Tyrrell Hatton on the team, raising questions about his previous views and whether he’s prioritizing a strong team over his principles.

5. Rory McIlroy wants LIV defectors to come back?

Last but not least, and probably most surprising, Rory McIlroy is now advocating for reunification in the men’s professional golf game, even calling for the reinstatement of banned players like Bryson DeChambeau. Speaking ahead of the 2025 Genesis Invitational, McIlroy acknowledged that the emergence of LIV Golf has benefited players on both sides, including himself, with increased prize funds and leverage. While he still opposes certain aspects of LIV Golf, such as the 54-hole format and team concept, McIlroy believes it’s time to move forward and reunite the golf world, saying “We’ve all done better because of this” and “Let’s just try to get this thing going again and do what’s best for the game”, per Bunkered.

Surely, fans might think McIlroy’s frequent change in attitude might seem like he is indecisive, however, it is also a sign of an athlete who is willing to adapt to the changing demands of the sport over the years. So, which change of opinion was a surprise to you? Let us know in the comments section below!