Rory McIlroy has hit back at suggestions that his blockbuster match alongside Scottie Scheffler in December has been set-up to send a message to the PGA Tour. The two stars will take on the LIV Golf duo of Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau in a live clash in Las Vegas in December.
It will signify the first time that PGA Tour players have competed against LIV Golf rebels outside of majors and the Olympics.The Saudi-backed initiative was formed in the summer of 2022, with merger discussions between the two competing groups presently proceeding in an attempt to resolve the sport’s civil war.
Mcllory questioned
When McIlroy was questioned this week before of the Amgen Irish Open, someone asked him whether the match was planned specifically to hasten discussions. “We wanted to do something that I think all fans could get excited about, so I wouldn’t say it’s meant to send a message,” he remarked.
It serves to demonstrate to golf enthusiasts and the general public that this is what may occur or that these are the options moving ahead. I’ve been saying for a long time that I believe golf and golf enthusiasts should be together.
In June 2023, players on all sides were left stunned by the announcement that all parties had agreed in principle to a merger. But the progress of talks between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Saudi PIF have thus far been slow, with negotiations reopening in New York this week.
But the decision to meet this week, around the anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, was met with widespread criticism from American fans. 9/11 Families United, a coalition of families and survivors of the attacks, have long been opposed to LIV Golf and their Saudi connections.
The outcome could also have a significant impact on the Ryder Cup. Currently, European LIV players are not allowed to compete on the DP World Tour unless they have paid their fines for jumping ship. McIlroy denied any involvement in the talks and said he was unaware of what was being discussed. “I think we’re all trying to look for a solution to all this and try to move forward so we’ll see,” he said.