Rory McIlroy admits he feels like a “sacrificial lamb” and still “hates” LIV Golf as he reacted to the shock merger between the PGA Tour and the Saudi-backed golf league.
McIlroy found himself in the position of defending the PGA Tour in its battle with LIV Golf, but were both kept in the dark about the sensational deal announced on Tuesday.
Other players reacted with surprise and there was a sense of betrayal amongst some that the PGA Tour has entered into a commercial agreement with the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, the same fund that bankrolls LIV.
READ MORE: PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf agree to merge commercial operations in shock move
McIlroy, whose previously close friendship with Sergio Garcia broke down after the Spaniard joined LIV, said: “It’s hard for me to not sit up here and feel somewhat like a sacrificial lamb and feeling like I’ve put myself out there and this is what happens.
“Removing myself from the situation, I see how this is better for the game of golf, there’s no denying it.”
McIlroy, who said he was never offered any money to join LIV, was asked if those who did turn down massive offers should be compensated.
The world number three said: “The simple answer is yes. The complex answer is how does that happen?
“That’s all up in the air at the minute. For me as an individual, there’s just going to have to be conversations that are had.”
McIlroy attempted to distinguish between LIV Golf and the PIF, admitting: “It’s not LIV. I still hate LIV. I hope it goes away and I would fully expect that it does.
“That’s where the distinction here is. This is the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour and the PIF, very different from LIV.”
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