It’s been a strange week for the game of golf, to say the least.
On Tuesday, there was a Senate subcommittee hearing to address the newly-announced PGA Tour-Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund agreement that has changed the landscape of the sport.
Although players like Jordan Spieth, Xander Schauffele and Scottie Scheffler answered questions regarding the hearing earlier this week, Rory McIlroy kept his focus on the task at hand, and it’s paid off early on.
The Northern Irishman used a first-round 6-under 64 to earn himself a tie for second after the morning wave Thursday at the Genesis Scottish Open. After five birdies in his first seven holes, McIlroy made bogeys on Nos. 17 and 2 — he began his day on the back nine — to play his first 11 holes 3 under. However, he got both dropped shots back with an eagle at the par-5 3rd, and added another circle at No. 5.
Scottish Open: Photos
After signing his card, McIlroy spoke with the media and was asked about Tuesday’s hearing.
And he didn’t hold back.
Rory was asked about LIV’s quickly-rejected proposal for him to captain a team:
“If LIV Golf was the last place on Earth to play golf, I would retire. That’s how I feel about it.”
— Sean Zak (@Sean_Zak) July 13, 2023
In the beginning stages of the framework agreement, LIV Golf proposed that Tiger Woods and McIlroy would own LIV franchises and that they would play in 10 LIV events per season.
The proposal was quickly shut down.
McIlroy has long been the Tour’s most outspoken player against the Saudi Arabia-backed circuit, and even called himself a “sacrificial lamb” after the agreement was announced last month.
While the future of the game is in the balance, it’s clear McIlroy isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.