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Gollan, Scotland – Over the past 18 months, we’ve heard Rory McIlroy say a lot of things about Live Golf. He declared that she was “dead in the water” back in February 2022. He later admitted that he got it wrong. In July, he said he believed there was “no place in the golf world for LIV Golf.” That was his opinion. He didn’t like what it was He was.
In November, he was asked if a peace agreement could be concluded and put forward two obstacles. The lawsuits will have to be settled and Greg Norman will have to “exit stage left” as leader of the LIV. The first box is now checked. that second? Not yet at least.
In recent months, McIlroy has declined volume. In May, he said he intended to set aside any LIV narrative, just weeks before the stunning reversal that would see the PGA Tour looking to partner with LIV’s parent, the Saudi Public Investment Fund. A day later, McIlroy took to the podium for a press conference, from which came another headline quote: “I still hate LIV. Like me Dislikes LIV. He was still hoping it would disappear.
In a scene full of unanswered questions, his distaste for LIV never wavered. However, questions about this topic remain as more context continues to emerge. In the past two weeks alone, hundreds of pages of documents have revealed internal PGA Tour messaging during the battle with LIV, as well as the crucial secret negotiations between the PGA Tour and PIF to reach a framework agreement. The intentions are clear from the investigation: LIV Golf will continue in some unspecified capacity. Beyond that, everything is in flux. So, what is McIlroy thinking now? He has limited his press presence for the past month.
In the moments following his first round at the Genesis Scottish Open, he was in a jovial mood. You can’t blame him, after a six-bird 64 card, and a 64 one eagle. He didn’t always have a great renaissance club, but this was a fresh start. He admitted he had reset his season a bit in recent weeks, going 10 days after the Travelers Championship without touching a golf club. He only played two innings before Thursday’s hot start. In the end, LIV and the proposed partnership emerged.
“As long as I play golf, I’m happy,” said McIlroy. “A little indifferent to everything at this moment.” He spoke softly as he said it, and seemed quite content to leave the discussion there. This is what indifference looks like. He said he reviewed a little bit of the information that came from the Senate hearing and investigative documents this week, but it’s nice to be able to try to walk away a little bit.
Buried within these documents was another headline-grabbing piece of information: LIV Golf’s initial proposal for the partnership included the idea of McIlroy (and Tiger Woods) owning LIV teams and playing at least 10 LIV events a year. It was just one point of many shared ideas, and also one of a few quickly shot down by tour officials, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. But just the idea of a proposal was interesting to McElroy, right? The question follows.
How do you feel about the prospect of making you a team leader?
McIlroy ran his hands over his face at that moment and let out a sigh. “If LIV Golf is the last place on earth to play golf, I’m going to retire,” said McIlroy. “That’s how I feel about it.”
seriously?
McIlroy said, “Yes.” “I would play for the majors. I would be very comfortable.”
It’s a striking quote but there’s depth to it as well. It is a reminder that throughout the story, his opinion of LIV Golf has not changed, from “dead in the water” to “I’m going to retire”. With that, he acknowledged that his approach had changed a bit.
“I think the thing I’ve realized is, no matter what I do or say or try to show leadership, I’m going to be OK,” McIlroy said. “I tried to get up for guys who didn’t have a voice early on. But I think with everything that’s happened over the last few weeks, guys are going to find themselves more and more at the table to try and get whatever they want out of it.”
This will take more than a few weeks. It will take months. Months and months. His speaking opportunities won’t go away, but McIlroy seems most comfortable keeping those opportunities to a minimum. Less questions in Scums with reporters. Fewer press conferences, even. His obligations may decrease while requests for answers from PGA Tour management continue to increase. This week’s session is unlikely to be the only one.
With the future of professional golf changing, McIlroy seems intent on avoiding the noise – for which he is indifferent – and moving exclusively at his own pace. He fought so hard for the PGA Tour status quo and is now comfortable simply fighting for his status quo, first and foremost.
He said, “As long as the tournaments I’m playing last, I’ll be very happy to play and be a professional golfer and try to get a little closer every day to try and perfect my craft.”