Rory McIlroy Reignites LIV Controversy at Olympics, Criticizes Saudi League Competitors’ Quality

Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy is set to commence his pursuit of a gold medal at the Paris Olympics. However, several stars from the LIV Golf tour have not managed to qualify for the event. McIlroy, who has been an outspoken critic of LIV Golf, has reignited his feud with the golfers who left to join the Saudi Arabian-backed tour, criticizing the standard of play on the LIV circuit.

McIlroy, 35, has consistently opposed the Saudi-backed breakaway venture, which has attracted numerous high-profile players with the allure of lucrative events and substantial salaries. Despite this, McIlroy believes that the quality of play on LIV Golf pales in comparison to that of the PGA Tour. He has also suggested that players who joined LIV may now find it difficult to qualify for prestigious competitions like the Olympics due to their decision.

When asked whether the absence of some of the world’s best players would diminish the Olympic golf event, McIlroy gave a candid response. “I mean, I don’t think there’s any other way to do it because it’s hard to compare the golf that they play to the golf that we play. That’s the reason they didn’t get World Ranking points, right?” McIlroy told reporters.

He further elaborated, “So if you want to qualify for the Olympics, you knew what you had to do. Just like if you wanted to qualify for the Ryder Cup, you knew what you had to do. They were very aware of the decision they made when they did.”

McIlroy’s comments underscore the ongoing tension between traditional tours like the PGA and the new LIV Golf, emphasizing the consequences faced by players who chose the latter.