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Apr 17th, 2024
McIlroy dismisses LIV rumours (again)
Pledges future to PGA
Rory McIlroy has squashed rumours of a mega-money move to Saudi- backled LIV golf, re-iterating his loyalty to the PGA Tour.
Leading business publisher City AM reported that the world number two was mulling over $850m (£630m) plus a minority equity stake in the fledgling, 54 hole, cut-less league.
McIlroy denied these rumours on Tuesday, saying "I honestly don't know how these things get started; I've never been offered a number from LIV. I've never considered going to LIV". His agent, Sean O'Flaherty, additionally labelled suggestions of this possible move "Fake News".
The self-described "sacrificial lamb", who finished 22nd in the Masters in Augusta at the weekend, has openly criticised players making the move in the past, though this stance has softened as the two sides look for a solution to a problem that probably shouldn't even exist. More recently, he commented "One of the things that I’ve realised over the past two years is people can make their own decisions for whatever they think is best for themselves."
Jon Rahm, at the time defending Masters champion and a lynchpin of Europe's Ryder Cup success in Rome, is the highest profile PGA star to make the switch; Rahm decided to join LIV in December (reportedly for a $350m multiyear deal) having previously dismissed their 54-hole events, shotgun starts and no cut rules. Rahm also endured one of the more disappointing defences of recent years with 3x champion Sir Nick Faldo suggesting that, while "he's one hell of a player", his intensity may have been impacted by playing resort courses in his shorts in the LIV Golf League.
In keeping with the rumour mill, world number six Viktor Hovland has been the subject of similar rumours, attributed to his overt disgruntlement with the framework agreement last Summer between the Saudi PIF and established tours.
Leading business publisher City AM reported that the world number two was mulling over $850m (£630m) plus a minority equity stake in the fledgling, 54 hole, cut-less league.
McIlroy denied these rumours on Tuesday, saying "I honestly don't know how these things get started; I've never been offered a number from LIV. I've never considered going to LIV". His agent, Sean O'Flaherty, additionally labelled suggestions of this possible move "Fake News".
The self-described "sacrificial lamb", who finished 22nd in the Masters in Augusta at the weekend, has openly criticised players making the move in the past, though this stance has softened as the two sides look for a solution to a problem that probably shouldn't even exist. More recently, he commented "One of the things that I’ve realised over the past two years is people can make their own decisions for whatever they think is best for themselves."
Jon Rahm, at the time defending Masters champion and a lynchpin of Europe's Ryder Cup success in Rome, is the highest profile PGA star to make the switch; Rahm decided to join LIV in December (reportedly for a $350m multiyear deal) having previously dismissed their 54-hole events, shotgun starts and no cut rules. Rahm also endured one of the more disappointing defences of recent years with 3x champion Sir Nick Faldo suggesting that, while "he's one hell of a player", his intensity may have been impacted by playing resort courses in his shorts in the LIV Golf League.
In keeping with the rumour mill, world number six Viktor Hovland has been the subject of similar rumours, attributed to his overt disgruntlement with the framework agreement last Summer between the Saudi PIF and established tours.
