Rory McIlroy has appeared to cut back his hardline stance in opposition to LIV Golf in latest months, however that does not imply the star from Northern Eire is contemplating switching allegiances.
In separate interviews in January, McIlroy admitted he had been “too judgmental” of the Saudi-backed LIV circuit and the gamers who signed there, and he mentioned there needs to be no punishment for LIV gamers who would want to return to the PGA Tour.
McIlroy was requested in an on-camera interview on Thursday whether or not he is thought of becoming a member of LIV because the PGA Tour’s negotiations with Saudi Arabia’s Public Funding Fund proceed.
In brief, the cash would not sway him.
“It isn’t for me,” McIlroy mentioned. “I am an excessive amount of of a traditionalist. I really like successful golf tournaments and searching on the trophy and seeing that Sam Snead received this trophy or Ben Hogan or Gene Sarazen or Jack Nicklaus or Gary Participant, Tiger Woods, Nick (Faldo), whoever it’s. The those that got here earlier than me.
“That, to me, is an enormous deal in our sport.”
McIlroy nonetheless struck a conciliatory tone concerning the reunification of males’s golf.
“If we have been to all put our heads collectively and be like, okay, what can we do to all come again collectively and transfer ahead and be a little bit extra cohesive?’
“Then I might kind of be for that,” he mentioned on Thursday. McIlroy served on the PGA Tour’s coverage board as a participant director till he stepped down final November, citing private {and professional} commitments.
It’s unclear when or whether or not the tour and the PIF will finalise their “framework settlement” from final June after a self-imposed December 31 deadline got here and went.
Within the meantime, LIV Golf has attracted the likes of Spaniard Jon Rahm, and CEO Greg Norman has mentioned the circuit is already engaged on setting its 2025 schedule.
What golf is dwell on Sky Sports activities this week?
The PGA Tour stays in Florida for the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the place McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler are among the many huge names who function. Early protection begins from Bay Hill on Friday at 12.45pm, with full protection from 7pm. Stream the PGA Tour and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – simply £21 a month for 12 months. No contract, cancel anytime.
Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight showdown with Francis Ngannou takes place on Friday March 8, dwell on Sky Sports activities Field Workplace with the primary occasion anticipated round 11pm. E book Joshua vs Ngannou now!
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Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight showdown with Francis Ngannou takes place on Friday March 8, dwell on Sky Sports activities Field Workplace with the primary occasion anticipated round 11pm. E book Joshua vs Ngannou now!
