NEW YORK – The split in the men’s game between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf is unsustainable and will not benefit anyone in the long term, Rory McIlroy told Golf Monthly on April 2.
The four-time Major champion said it was disheartening as a competitor to see the best golfers play in separate tours for most of the year.
“There needs to be a correction. I think what’s happening is not sustainable right now, so something needs to happen to try to bring it all back together so we can all move forward so we don’t have this division that’s sort of ongoing,” the 34-year-old Ulsterman said.
“They keep going down those different paths and I just don’t see how that benefits anyone in the long run... I think (it’s) a shame for the overall game of golf.”
Although negotiations on a merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf are ongoing, McIlroy said it is still a distant prospect.
“We’re probably still quite a long way from it, but I would hope that in the future that we can get there, unify the game and get the best players back together again,” the world No. 2 added.
Talks between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf have dragged on and the PGA Tour secured a US$3 billion (S$4.05 billion) investment deal with a consortium of American sports team owners called Strategic Sports Group (SSG) in January.
The PGA Tour is prepared to go it alone with SSG if a deal with LIV Golf cannot be done, tour commissioner Jay Monahan said in March.
“Ultimately (LIV Golf) do have some of the best players in the world who are playing some really good golf,” McIlroy said.
Meanwhile, the virtual golf league headed by McIlroy and Tiger Woods, which will begin its inaugural season in January 2025, got some new names on April 2.
Xander Schauffele, Rickie Fowler, Matt Fitzpatrick and Cameron Young have joined the TGL’s New York Golf Club.
The New York roster additions were announced by franchise owner Steve Cohen, owner of baseball’s New York Mets.
“New Yorkers expect and deserve the best, and we couldn’t be more excited to have four of the best players in the world,” he said in a statement.
Schauffele, a seven-time PGA Tour winner who is ranked No. 5 in the world, said it was an honour to be part of the tech-infused league’s launch.
“I’ve built my career on a foundation of hard work, grit, and determination, which couldn’t better reflect the people of New York City,” the 30-year-old said. “It’s a true honour to both grow the game and represent this incredible city.”
The TGL’s first three matches will take place on the first three Tuesdays in January 2025, airing live on ESPN from the SoFi Centre in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The rest of the schedule for the six-team league will be announced later.
Meanwhile, Anthony Kim admitted to battling significant injuries, an addictive personality and “very dark demons” during his near-12-year absence from professional golf before returning to LIV Golf in late February.
The 38-year-old shed light on all that he has overcome in an interview with David Feherty that was on LIV Golf Plus on April 2.
“Golf is important to me and not important to me at the same time,” he said. “I’ve had some very dark moments. I’ve had some very low moments. I’ve felt very alone, even when there’s a million people around. I needed to get my mind straight and figure out what my purpose was on this planet.”
The American turned pro in 2006 and recorded PGA Tour victories at the 2008 Wachovia Championship, 2008 AT&T National and 2010 Houston Open. He climbed as high as No. 6 in the world rankings in September 2008.
An Achilles injury in 2012 led to surgery, and many others followed.
“I’ve had multiple shoulder surgeries. Hand surgery, spinal fusion, but had a lot of injuries and a lot of surgeries,” Kim said. “I think I’m actually hitting the ball farther now than when I left the game. So maybe some of this metal is helping.”
He also acknowledged other issues that weighed on him as he dealt with an admitted “addictive personality.”
“I was around some bad people,” Kim said. “People who took advantage of me – scam artists. And when you’re 24 or 25, even 30 years old, you don’t realise the snakes that are living under your roof. But through the grace of God, I’m here. I’m able to tell my story, hopefully inspire other people.” REUTERS
