In a recent appearance on the The Overlap’s “Stick to Football” show, Rory McIlroy opened up on his role in the Saudi negotiations, LIV Golf and plenty more in the world of professional golf.
His comments spread like wildfire in the golf community, with numerous folks from the ecosystem chiming in on his relaxed stance and changed mindset against the Public Investment Fund’s involvement in professional golf.
Even Phil Mickelson is taking notice. The six-time major winner took to X, formerly known as Twitter, early Thursday morning to share his thoughts on McIlroy’s comments.
“This quote and the many others made today by Rory probably weren’t easy to say. Let’s not use this as an opportunity to pile on. Rather, it’s time for me and others to let go of our hostilities and work towards a positive future. Rahms’ signing is turning into a bright to bring both sides together, as evidenced by the many comments today and a month ago about changing the rules for the Ryder Cup so Jon and others can play, so let’s use it as such. Until an agreement is reached it will be business as usual for both sides but hopefully without the needless disdain.”
This quote and the many others made today by Rory probably weren’t easy to say. Let’s not use this as an opportunity to pile on. Rather, It’s time for me and others to let go of our hostilities and work towards a positive future. Rahms’ signing is turning into a bridge to bring… https://t.co/KG2wifcWvT
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) January 4, 2024
The social media post came in response to McIlroy’s comments questioning how the PGA Tour had done so well for so long.
“If we’re going to ask these people for so much money, we need to be able to guarantee them what they’re getting, and I think that was part of the stuff that we’ve been trying to do for the last two years to figure out how can we bring the thing back together again and learn from some of the things that have happened and some of the stuff that LIV has exposed,” McIlroy said.
On the show, McIlroy also said things have cooled down between players but admitted he’s still bothered by those who spoke poorly about the PGA Tour and DP World Tour after they left for LIV. He also admitted how he has been wrong over the last two years and that he viewed the struggle in professional golf with an “altruistic approach” and that if he regrets anything, it was being so judgmental of players who left for LIV.
There has been no shortage of shots taken across the bow between players, like Mickelson and others, and vice versa.
However, since the announcement of a framework agreement last June, tensions have cooled somewhat between players. Although the future of professional golf is seemingly up in the air as to how it will look down the road, it seems more and more players are warming up to the idea of coming together in some form or fashion.
The PGA Tour’s season gets underway Thursday at The Sentry in Hawaii, and LIV Golf’s third season gets underway next month at LIV Golf Mayakoba in Mexico.