'Don't Try And Come Back' - Rory McIlroy On LIV Golf Defectors
The Northern Irishman says joining LIV and taking the money is "fine" but warned players not to "try and come back and play over here again"
Rory McIlroy says that he's fine with players taking the money to go to LIV but warned players to not "try and come back and play over here."
His statement seems a direct response to the 16 DP World Tour players to have threatened the Tour with legal action, including Ian Poulter who had his Scottish Open ban "temporarily stayed" after a successful hearing.
Poulter said he spoke to McIlroy at Adare Manor, venue for this week's JP McManus Pro-Am. The Ryder Cup legend insisted joining LIV was a business decision and "not a personal decision that has to get in the way of friendships"
Video: What Is LIV Golf?
McIlroy's relationship with Sergio Garcia has deteriorated, Golf Monthly understands, but he and Poulter, Ryder Cup partners, may well still be close friends. McIlroy, though, did speak of the resentment from DP World Tour players towards the LIV defectors who are trying to 'have their cake and eat it.'
"I think at this stage, if you go over and play on a different tour, then go over and play on a different tour," McIlroy said.
"You're sort of basically leaving all your peers behind to go make more money, which is fine. But just go over there. Don't try and come back and play over here again. This whole having your cake and eating it type thing is what the resentment [stems from] within the membership."
McIlroy's comments echo those of Billy Horschel, who didn't hold back in his Scottish Open press conference on his feelings towards the LIV Golf defectors. "Those guys made their bed," the American said. "They say that's what they want to do. So just leave us alone. Honestly."
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: Titleist TSi2
Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1
Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Ball: Srixon Z Star XV
-
Who Makes Our Ultimate Five-A-Side Football Team... Made Entirely Of Professional Golfers!
Plenty of professional golfers follow a football team, and some have even played the game, so who would make it into your five-a-side team?
By Barry Plummer Published
-
Jay Monahan Issues Update After PGA Tour Meeting With PIF’s Yasir Al-Rumayyan
Jay Monahan told PGA Tour players he had a "constructive" meeting with PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan
By Joel Kulasingham Published
-
Rory McIlroy Defends Jay Monahan In Players Championship Press Conference: As It Happened
The 2019 champion spoke at length about what a good job the PGA Tour commissioner had done in general along with a variety of other subjects prior to the 50th edition of The Players Championship
By Jonny Leighfield Last updated
-
Rory McIlroy Has Extensive Putting Lesson Immediately After API Round One As Flat-Stick Woes Continue
The four-time Major champion has struck a bump in the road regarding his putting and spent time with coach Brad Faxon at Bay Hill in order to try and overcome the issue
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Do These Quotes In Full Swing Season 2 Explain Why Rory McIlroy Quit The PGA Tour Board?
The four-time Major winner hinted at one of the key reasons he may have opted to quit the PGA Tour board last November during the opening episodes of Full Swing Season 2
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'What The F***?' How PGA Tour Pros (Including Rory McIlroy And Justin Thomas) Reacted To Merger News During Full Swing Season 2
The Netflix cameras captured the reactions of a number of PGA Tour pros after the June 6 agreement became public which were shared in Season 2 of 'Full Swing'
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Arnold Palmer Invitational Prize Money Payout 2024
One of the most lucrative events of the season takes place at Bay Hill as Kurt Kitayama defends his title
By Mike Hall Published
-
Seminole Pro-Member Results: How Did Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, And Justin Thomas Fare?
PGA Tour member Mackenzie Hughes claimed the 'gross' title alongside partner, Frank Edwards while Erik van Rooyen and John Pinkham secured the 'net' prize at Seminole Golf Club
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Genesis Invitational Prize Money Payout 2024
Tiger Woods makes his first appearance of the year in the latest of the PGA Tour’s signature events at Riviera Country Club
By Mike Hall Published
-
Justin Thomas The Latest Pro To Push Back On Rory McIlroy's LIV Golf View
The Northern Irishman had said that LIV golfers should be allowed back on the PGA Tour without any punishment - a point of view that the American does not concur with
By Jonny Leighfield Published