There was some surprise in golfing spheres on Wednesday, after Rory McIlroy appeared to somewhat cool on his LIV Golf criticism.
McIlroy has been one of the series' most staunch critics since its inception in 2022, but has been forced to reconsider some elements of his criticism in recent weeks after Jon Rahm's bombshell move to join the breakaway league.
With the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund bankrolling the series, and question marks hanging over the sporting integrity of LIV, players have attracted much attention and heat for signing up to the league.
Rory McIlroy's persistence in defending the PGA Tour and criticising the LIV Golf format have seen him fall out with many of the players who have signed on to the league - most notably Phil Mickelson.
McIlroy made an appearance on the Overlap's 'Stick to Football' podcast this week, and his comments on LIV Golf and the PGA Tour surprised many. The four-time major champion leaned in to some criticism of the PGA Tour, before saying that he could - to a degree - understand why Jon Rahm had made the move to LIV.
Those comments have now earned him an intriguing response from Phil Mickelson.
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Rory McIlroy: Phil Mickelson responds to Northern Irishman's LIV comments
Appearing on 'Stick to Football' on Wednesday, Rory McIlroy was asked for his latest thoughts on LIV Golf. Somewhat unexpectedly, McIlroy went on to point out what he believed the league had done well, in exposing the flaws of the PGA Tour:
What LIV has done is expose flaws in the system of what golf has. We're all supposed to be independent contractors, and we can basically pick and choose what tournaments we want to play.
I think what LIV and the Saudis have exposed is, if you have a tour and you're asking sponsors for millions of dollars to sponsor these events and you're not able to guarantee those sponsors the players that are going to show up...it's very hard. I can't believe they've done so well for so long!
Those quotes were picked up by golf accounts across social media, and Phil Mickelson ultimately reposted a Tweet in order to comment on McIlroy's remarks.
Given the pair's history of animosity, McIlroy's surprising acknowledgment of fundamental flaws within the PGA Tour could easily have earned him a scolding from Mickelson (whether deserved or otherwise).
Equally surprising was the tone of Mickelson's response.
This quote and the many others made today by Rory probably weren’t easy to say. 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 towards a positive future. Rahms’ signing is turning into a bridge to bring… https://t.co/KG2wifcWvT
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) January 4, 2024
Six-time major champion Mickelson said:
This quote and the many others made today by Rory probably weren’t easy to say.
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 towards a positive future.
Rahms’ signing is turning into a bridge to bring both sides together,as evidenced by the many comments today and a month ago about changing the rules for the Ryder Cup so Jon and others can play, so let’s use it as such.
Until an agreement is reached it will be business as usual for both sides but hopefully without the needless disdain.
The arrival of Jon Rahm to LIV Golf was undoubtedly the biggest coup yet for the series, with the defending Masters champion also previously ranked as world #1 before his signing.
The acquisition of Rahm suggested that the pull of LIV is only set to grow, and McIlroy's comments feel like an acknowledgment that it may no longer be possible to shun the series and those playing on it, as its sphere of influence expands.
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