Rory McIlroy Rips LIV Golf's Phil Mickelson And Patrick Reed In Full Swing
The 33-year-old didn't hold back when discussions turned to the LIV Golf players in the Netflix docuseries
Rory McIlroy is well known as one of the most outspoken defenders of the PGA Tour following the emergence of its bitter rival LIV Golf - and now there is evidence of the 33-year-old’s opinion of two of those who joined the circuit thanks to his starring role in new Netflix series Full Swing.
Two of LIV Golf’s most high-profile players are six-time Major winner Phil Mickelson and 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed and both players signed for the Greg Norman-fronted circuit during the period the series following life on the PGA Tour was being filmed, making them topics of conversation behind the scenes.
The final episode, Everything Has Led To This, focuses on McIlroy’s attempts to win a fifth Major at the 150th Open, and his FedEx Cup victory in the season-closing Tour Championship at East Lake last August. It was at the latter venue where one of the best quotes of the series was aired - and it was reserved for Mickelson.
Footage shows McIlroy receiving a massage and discussing the Super Bowl when the conversation turns to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and his love for the PGA Tour. After a few seconds, McIlroy interjects: “Yeah, but he’s a Phil Mickelson fan.” The conversation moves on for a few seconds before McIlroy grins and shouts, "F*** you Phil!" He then jokes that he hopes that line makes it the cut.
Far more subtle is McIlroy’s dig at Reed, this time on the range at East Lake. One way for LIV players to acquire Official World Golf Ranking points is playing on the Asian Tour, because LIV Golf currently can’t offer them. The conversation turns to Reed’s appearance on that tour, which prompts McIlroy to say: “And dropped spots on the world rankings. Beautiful!”
The month after the Tour Championship, Reed dropped out of the world’s top 50 for the first time since 2014, and currently stands at World No.60. Given McIlroy’s reaction (or rather lack of) to Reed in the build-up to last month’s Dubai Desert Classic, where he blanked him, it’s safe to say the intervening months have done little to increase McIlroy’s sympathy for the American.
While McIlroy is always forthright when speaking to the media, the behind-the-scenes footage certainly offers a less inhibited angle on his opinions. However, considering his reaction to the mentions of Mickelson and Reed, it seems his thoughts on LIV Golf are consistent with the image he portrays when under the glare of the media spotlight.
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.
Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.
He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.
Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.
Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.
-
Ford Championship Presented By KCC Prize Money Payout 2024
A world-class field heads to Arizona for the inaugural event, where the largest purse of the LPGA Tour season so far is available
By Mike Hall Published
-
Star Amateur Rachel Heck Announces Surprising Decision About Her Future
The former World No.3 amateur wrote a letter - published by No Laying Up - which explained the reasons behind her decision
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Rory McIlroy Confirmed To Make Zurich Classic Debut Alongside Ryder Cup Teammate Shane Lowry
The World No.2 will join forces with his fellow Major winner in New Orleans later this season
By Jonny Leighfield 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
-
The Masters Field 2024... And How They Qualified
Jon Rahm defends his title in a field packed with some of the best players from the past and present
By Mike Hall Published