Phil Mickelson has urged LIV Golf fans not to criticise Rory McIlroy after the Northern Irishman’s bombshell comments about the breakaway.
Phil Mickelson has urged LIV Golf fans not to criticise Rory McIlroy after the Northern Irishman admitted he would entertain the idea of joining the breakaway should it turn into ‘the IPL of golf’.
McIlroy’s comments on a Sky Sports podcast that was uploaded on 3 January made headlines in the golf world.
The 34-year-old’s stance on the rival league has softened further, with the four-times major champ conceding he was ‘too judgemental’ of the players that have left.
McIlroy hailed Jon Rahm’s switch to the Saudi-backed breakaway as ‘smart’ and urged a swift resolution to the conflict between the PGA Tour and LIV.
Negotiations to ratify the 6 June framework agreement are set to continue before another update at this year’s Masters.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve lost the fight against LIV, but I’ve just accepted the fact that this is part of our sport now,” McIlroy told The Overlap.
Mickelson, who has criticised McIlroy on social media on more than one occasion over the past two years, has decided now is the time to call a truce.
“This quote and the many others made today by Rory probably weren’t easy to say,” he wrote.
“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.
“As seen by the numerous remarks made both today and a month ago regarding altering the Ryder Cup rules to allow Jon and others to participate, Rahm’s signing is beginning to serve as a bridge to unite the opposing sides. Let’s make the most of this opportunity.
Both parties will conduct business as usual until an agreement is reached, hopefully without the needless contempt.
What else did Rory McIlroy say?
Over the course of a 60-minute podcast, McIlroy said:
* LIV Golf exposed the PGA Tour’s flaws
* The Saudis should spend their money growing the game legitimately instead of paying the players
* Players who bolted to the rival league should still remember where they came from
* Rahm’s decision to join LIV was a ‘smart business move’
He’s never had an offer from LIV
* He now believes it’s not his job to fight LIV
* He had prior knowledge a PGA Tour official was going to reach out to LIV for peace talks
* He regretted his actions at the Ryder Cup.