PGA star Rory McIlroy ‘still hates LIV’ and he ‘would like it to go away’, but the Northern Irishman said on Wednesday he believed the merger between the two circuits would be beneficial for the long term. Golf.
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“I heard the news about the same time as everyone else,” McIlroy said in a press conference on the sidelines of the Canadian Open, which takes place this weekend.
“It was a surprise,” he continued. I knew there were discussions going on backstage. I knew a line of communication was open. But I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly.”
A winner of 23 PGA titles and four majors, McIlroy has been one of the tour’s most vocal defenders since some golfers began leaving him last year to join LIV.
“It’s the money that talks”
McIlroy also said he welcomes the union of the two leagues because it will secure the financial future of golf.
“When I look at the big picture and think about 10 years from now, I think it will be good for professional golf. […] We can start to find a way to unify golf.”
The 34-year-old golfer also believes it’s better for the PGA to have the Saudi Investment Fund (PIF) on its side, not the “enemy” side. It is this fund that financially supports the LIV with billions and its contribution has been decried since the creation of the circuit, in particular because of the management of human rights in Saudi Arabia.
The PIF will become one of the main sponsors of the PGA. “At the end of the day, it’s the money that talks and it’s better to have it as a partner.”
‘Nobody’s perfect,’ says DeChambeau
Golfer Bryson DeChambeau, who was one of the first to make the jump with LIV Golf, looked pretty bad during an interview with CNN on Tuesday, especially when it came to Saudi Arabia.
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Bryson DeChambeau
A few hours after the merger between the two professional circuits PGA and LIV, the powerful slugger was invited to speak at greater length on the Saudi context.
During the interview with the American television channel, DeChambeau was therefore asked about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record. Host Kaitlan Collins asked him if he was “uncomfortable” that the Middle Eastern country was “accused of funding terrorism”.
“Nobody is perfect,” he replied.
“Look, it’s unfortunate what happened, but it’s not something I can talk about, because I’m just a golfer,” he also said.
2,500 families of victims criticize the merger
On Tuesday, a group made up of about 2,500 family members of victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks released a statement criticizing the merger. The golfer tried to deflect the question.
“I don’t think we can ever repay the families for exactly what happened just over 20 years ago,” DeChambeau said. What happened is really horrible. I think over time, 20 years have passed and now we’re at a point where it’s time to start trying to work to make things better together.”
–With QMI Agency