During the press conference before the start of the Genesis Invitational, Rory McIlroy addressed many topics, but the emphasis was on the merger and the final deal between the PGA Tour and PIF. The Northern Irish golfer used to be a harsh critic of LIV Golf, but now, the story is completely different.
The experienced golfer changed his opinion about LIV, began to think differently, and realized that LIV will not disappear from the golf scene. However, is Rory ready to watch LIV golfers on the PGA Tour? The 35-year-old solved the dilemma.
Namely, McIlroy emphasizes that he has nothing against the return of some of the LIV stars to the PGA Tour, especially Bryson DeChambeau, aware of his qualities.
“There are guys that were on the PGA Tour that went to play on LIV, and if they still have status, sure, come back, come back and play. Like for us, they’ve all got equity in this tour. Having Bryson DeChambeau come back and play on this tour is good.”- Rory McIlroy said, as quoted by Golf Digest.
Rory McIlroy explains why he changed his views
Some still wonder why McIlroy just changed his mind about LIV, even though he was initially frustrated with their arrival on the golf scene. Various theories circulated on the Internet, with emphasis on the fact that Rory has a certain benefit, that he was “bribed” by the Saudis, and even that he will become part of LIV Golf.
However, Rory has now shared the main reason. Namely, the famous golfer confirmed that he is now making significantly more money with the arrival of LIV Golf, aware that without their arrival he would hardly have seen that day.
“Because I look at what I made in 2019 before LIV came around and I look at what I’ve made after LIV came around and it’s very different. Like, I don’t know what to say, I earn more money now than I did in 2019 and if LIV hadn’t have come around, I don’t know if I would have been able to say that.”- he concluded.
Tennis World USA