Rory McIlroy delivered a devastating put-down of LIV Golf stars who rule out a return to the PGA Tour under any circumstances.
Speaking after carding a four under 67 that catapulted him into contention in the Truist Championship at Quail Hollow, the Masters champion initially tried not to rub salt into LIV’s wounds following the news that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will pull the financial plug at the end of this season.
With players like Thomas Detry and Anirbhan Lahiri publicly ruling out a PGA Tour return and Bryson DeChambeau saying he might focus on YouTube golf if LIV Golf folds, McIlroy did not hold back.
“Again, I think I've said at the start, I was probably too judgmental with the guys that went because I was seeing it from my point of view and maybe not seeing it from other points of view,” McIlroy said after carding a four under 67 that left him tied for eighth on five under par, just four shots behind halfway leader Sungjae Im.
“But again, I'm not going to judge anyone for not wanting to play on the PGA Tour
“Does that mean that they go play DP World Tour maybe; if that's a pathway, that would make the DP World Tour stronger, and I would be delighted with that, because that's my home tour, at the end of the day.
“But if you want to be the most competitive golfer you can be, this is the place to be. And if you don't want to play here, I think that says something about you.”
On what the return pathway might look like for LIV stars should they be forced to seek a way back, he said: “It's a question of whether they do want to come back.
“Obviously, we have seen the quotes over the last few days. Again, it all depends on what happens to LIV.
“But if it is a scenario where they have the option to come back and play on the traditional tours, you know, I think Brian Rolapp has said anything that makes this Tour stronger, anything that makes the DP World Tour stronger, I think everyone should be open to that. That's just good business practice.
“But again I think there's going to be a lot of sort of bridges to cross to get there, just because obviously the guys over there are under contract and if they are able to keep it going and get a schedule together next year, it seems like those guys are still going to play the majority of their golf on LIV, in whatever form it takes.”
Several players such as world number one Tom Lehman, do not want the rebels back and believes a return to Q-School is in order.
But McIlroy has serious doubts that LIV can continue without PIF backing.
“Yeah, look, I think everyone sort of knows my views on LIV and where it stands in the game of golf,” McIlroy said.
“I don't think I need to rehash any of that. It's never been for me, and look, it doesn't mean LIV is going to go away.
“They're going to go and try and find alternative investment, whatever that may look like.
“But when one of the wealthiest sovereign wealth funds in the world thinks that you're too expensive for them, that sort of says something (laughing).”
As for his golf, McIlroy’s 67 left him tied for eighth on five under, just four shots behind Im, who shot a 69 to lead by a shot from Tommy Fleetwood (67) on nine under.
“I hit my irons better,” said McIlroy, who turned in level par, then made five birdies in seven holes on the back nine before dropping a shot at the last.
“Holed a couple extra putts, which always helps. But, yeah, it was a solid day.
“I wouldn't say I played a lot better than yesterday, but I scored a little bit better, and maybe a little bit more efficient with some things.
“But overall it was a good day, and it was a good day to get myself back in the hunt and feel like I have a real chance going into the weekend.”
At the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic, Seamus Power’s one over 72 left him tied for 38th on two under, eight shots behind leader Aaron Rai.
Meanwhile, Leona Maguire missed her fifth cut in her last six starts at the Mizuho Americas Open in New Jersey.
A five over 77 left her on nine over at Mountain Ridge Country Club, six shots outside the cut mark on nine over.
Jeeno Thitikul shot 69 to lead by three from Jennifer Kupcho on eight under.
Article Link: “If you don't want to play here, I think that says something about you” McIlroy on LIV stars - News - Irish Golf Desk