Rory McIlroy has spoken out on the hugely shocking and controversial decision by the PGA Tour to merge with LIV Golf and going into business with the PIF (The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia).
As the PGA Tour's most high profile, vocal player to speak out against LIV Golf and the moves of the PIF, McIlroy's opinion on the news was eagerly anticipated.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of tomorrow's RBC Canadian Open, McIlroy said that he is supportive of the merger, and has admitted that he has 'come to terms' with Saudi Arabia making such huge inroads into the game of golf, while he also admitted that he knew the PGA Tour were in talks with LIV and the PIF.
With LIV players such as Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, and Ian Poulter recently being forced to revoke their DP World Tour membership, there were questions marks over whether, with the merger in place, that now they may be able qualify for the Ryder Cup.
However, McIlroy was wholly confident that today's events will not change their Ryder Cup status.
I'm very aware of that. Very proud Canadian. I don't think it changes. The ruling in that arbitration court was upheld that the European Tour can uphold the rules and regulations and sanction people for leaving the TOUR, for harming the TOUR.
And again, I think it's a moot point, because all those guys have resigned their membership. If you're not a member of the European Tour you can't play the Ryder Cup. So to me it's a moot point.
Rory McIlroy Has His Say On PGA - PIF - LIV Merger
"I still hate LIV, I hope it goes away"
Rory McIlroy says the merger between PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf 'is not LIV'... pic.twitter.com/9y0b4FOgT5— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 7, 2023
READ HERE: PGA Tour Players Reportedly Furious Over Manner Of LIV Golf Merger
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has come in for huge criticism since the announcement, and has been labelled a 'hypocrite' by many, following months of a staunchly anti-LIV stance.
This afternoon, McIlroy defended Monahan, and seemed pleased with commissioner's reassurance that players who initially defected to LIV Golf will not be welcomed back with open arms.
"There still has to be consequences to actions. The people that left the PGA TOUR irreparably harmed this TOUR, started litigation against it.
"Like, we can't just welcome them back in. Like, that's not going to happen. And I think that was the one thing that Jay was trying to get across yesterday is like, guys, we're not just going to bring these guys back in and pretend like nothing's happened. That is not going to happen.
"So I do have confidence in him. I think you ask the people around him that deal with him in a business sense, whether it's the directors of the board of the PGA TOUR or the title sponsors that he deals with, I mean, he seems to be a very impressive individual when it comes to business."
Another much talked about aspect of the merger were the feelings of those who turned down huge sums of money to join LIV, only to now find out that their stance was in vein.
"I mean, the simple answer is yes," said McIlroy when asked whether these players should be compensated.
"The complex answer is how does that happen, right. And that's all, that's all a gray area and up in the air at the minute. But, yeah, there is, it's hard to, it's hard for me to not sit up here and feel somewhat like a sacrificial lamb and feeling like I've put myself out there and this is what happens.
"Again, removing myself from the situation, I see how this is better for the game of golf. There's no denying that. But for me as an individual, yeah, I, there's just going to have to be conversations that are had."
SEE ALSO: "F*ck Off:" Tempers Flare As Rory McIlroy Clashes With Grayson Murray In LIV Debate
