The presence of LIV Golf players at The Masters this year has certainly added a bit of extra spice to the occasion. The tournament at Augusta will be the first major to be held since the breakaway tour really made an impact in the sport.
Of course, those who chose to up stick and move to the new competition were heavily criticised for doing so. They were happy to take the money on offer despite the links to the Saudi regime, while there also banned from taking part in PGA Tour and DP World Tour events.
In many cases, it also soured their relationship with their peers, the cast majority of whom opted to stick with the traditional tours.
Rory McIlroy explains nuances with LIV Golf relationships
Rory McIlroy has been one of the most outspoken critics of LIV Golf, while he has also had a few run-ins with players who have moved to the new tour.
However, he feels that not every golfer on the new tour should be treated the same. Speaking ahead of The Masters, the Holywood native said that he still maintains a good relationship with some LIV players.
“This tournament is way bigger than any of that” ⛳
Rory McIlroy on playing alongside LIV Golf players at The Masters 🔊 pic.twitter.com/gRGR0dySx7— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) April 4, 2023
It's not as if I don't see some of these guys at home on weeks off. I see Brooks [Koepka] quite a lot, I see DJ [Dustin Johnson] quite a lot. We all sort of practice at the same place.
As you said, I think the more face time you get with people the more comfortable you become in some way. I think I'm going to go play nine holes with Brooks here in a little bit.
It's a very nuanced situation and there is different dynamics. It's okay to get along with Brooks and DJ and maybe not get along with some other guys that went there. It's interpersonal relationships, that's just how it goes.
This week and this tournament is way bigger than of that I feel. It's just great that all of the best players in the world are together again for the first time in what feels like quite a while.
Rory McIlroy was served a subpoena by Patrick Reed on Christmas Eve last year, with the American including him in his lawsuit against the PGA Tour. That pair never exactly saw eye to eye, but that move increased the animosity between the two.
It's difficult to not to get the sense that the above comments were a dig at Reed. You certainly couldn't blame him for that.
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