Rory McIlroy’s biggest LIV Golf regret?

Rory McIlroy, in a candid interview with Garrett Johnston for ‘Beyond the Clubhouse,’ shared his thoughts on the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, the Ryder Cup, and his reflections ahead of the Memorial Tournament. The 35-year-old golfer expressed regret over his deep involvement in the PGA Tour vs LIV Golf debate, feeling he didn’t gain much in return for his efforts.

McIlroy, once a vocal critic of LIV Golf, funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and fronted by Greg Norman, has softened his stance. When LIV Golf emerged in 2022, McIlroy dismissed it as “dead in the water.” However, with prominent golfers like Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cameron Smith joining LIV Golf, McIlroy’s views have evolved.

As he prepares for the Memorial Tournament hosted by Jack Nicklaus, McIlroy acknowledges the unfortunate division in professional golf but hopes for future reconciliation. He emphasizes the importance of a potential partnership between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf’s backers to unify the sport.

Reflecting on his time on the PGA Tour policy board, McIlroy expressed frustration over not achieving much and wished he had been less critical of LIV Golf. He admitted, “I just think that maybe putting so much into it, and not getting that much back in return… People are going to do what they’re going to do… For me, just more, I maybe didn’t have the empathy to understand where people were coming from whenever they decided to go to LIV.”

McIlroy now believes in a future where professional golf can come together for the benefit of players and fans alike, advocating for more frequent competitions beyond the four major tournaments.

When asked about Jon Rahm’s role in the European Ryder Cup team, McIlroy was clear: “I don’t see a world where Jon Rahm isn’t on the Ryder Cup team. We need him. He’s great in the team room, everyone loves him. Especially at Bethpage next time, we need him. We need all the help we can get.”