Sergio Garcia details update on Rory McIlroy relationship after latest war of words

Sergio Garcia has revealed that he still maintains a cordial relationship with Rory McIlroy and admires his skill as a professional golfer, despite their recent falling out. The two European Ryder Cup legends, who were once close enough for McIlroy to serve as a groomsman at Garcia’s 2017 wedding, had a public spat following Garcia’s move to LIV Golf in the summer of 2022. At that time, McIlroy was a vocal critic of the Saudi-funded breakaway league.

The tension between them escalated during the 2022 US Open when it was revealed that Garcia had texted McIlroy, telling him to “shut up” about LIV Golf. “He was basically telling me to shut up about LIV, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah,” McIlroy recounted to the Irish Independent. “I was pretty offended and sent him back a couple of daggers and that was it.”

Despite their heated exchange, Garcia stated last year that they had somewhat reconciled, although McIlroy later mentioned that Garcia “feels he deserves a lot of things.” This sentiment appeared to resurface recently when Garcia responded to a LIV Golf fan account, expressing his belief that he deserves an invite to The Open, despite not qualifying for his 100th major at Royal Troon.

Garcia displayed frustration during his Open qualifier at West Lancs last Tuesday, throwing a tantrum in front of R&A officials after receiving a slow play warning. After failing to qualify for The Open for the second consecutive year, he criticized the officials and targeted the R&A over viewership figures.

In a recent Instagram Q&A, Garcia was asked about his favorite golfers on the Tour. He included McIlroy in his list, though not as the first name mentioned. “I love to watch my friends, the guys I get along with,” Garcia responded. “Guys like Jon Rahm, my teammates at Fireballs, and Rory and guys like that. I don’t have anyone in particular but my idol was always Seve [Ballesteros] and [Jose Maria] Olazabal. Yeah, that is what it is.”

Garcia is set to compete on home soil at LIV Golf Andalucia this week, while McIlroy returns to action for the first time since his US Open disappointment, aiming to defend his Scottish Open title on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour. McIlroy was recently seen with his wife Erica and some of his 2023 European Ryder Cup teammates ahead of the Scottish Open.