World No. 1 Rory McIlroy: Feud between LIV Golf, PGA Tour is ‘out of control’
from Victor Barbosa, with YardBarker.com/www.yardbarker.com
Rory McIlroy is No. 1 men’s golfer in the world for the ninth time in his career. He recently spoke again about the ongoing conflict between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, calling the feud “out of control.”
“This ‘us vs. them’ thing has gotten way out of control already,” McIlroy said in an interview with The Guardian. “If the two entities keep doubling down in both directions, it is only going to become irreparable. We are going to have a fractured sport for a long time. That is no good for anyone.”
Ever since the controversial Saudi-backed breakaway league took off, McIlroy has been one of the biggest and most outspoken voices from the PGA Tour. In late September, when talking about the situation, the 33-year-old said “the game of golf is ripping itself apart right now.”
It was reported last week that the PGA Tour was suing Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and Yasir Othman Al-Rumayyan — the governor of the fund that finances LIV Golf.
The PGA Tour countersued LIV Golf in late September, accusing the league of “interfering with its contracts with players.” PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has suspended more than 30 players for competing in LIV Golf tournaments without conflicting-event releases.
Eleven members of LIV Golf filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against the tour in early August, accusing them of “using its monopoly powers to squash competition.” Bryson DeChambeau, Matt Jones and Peter Uihlein — along with LIV Golf — are still plaintiffs in the case, while eight other players (including six-time major champion Phil Mickelson) have since asked to be removed from the case.
“I think it is the first time in my life that I have felt betrayal, in a way,” McIlroy said. “You build bonds with these people through Ryder Cups and other things. Them knowing that what they are about to do is going to jeopardize them from being a part of that ever again? … I would like to think the Ryder Cup means as much to them as it does to me. Maybe it does. But knowing what the consequences could be, I just could never make that decision.”