Rory McIlroy learns what PGA Tour rival thinks of him for backtracking on LIV Golf stance

Rory McIlroy Praised by Billy Horschel for Honesty After Surprising LIV Golf U-turn

Billy Horschel has praised Rory McIlroy for his honesty following the Northern Irishman’s unexpected change of stance on LIV Golf. McIlroy, once a fierce critic of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour, has softened his position, drawing both surprise and admiration from those in the golfing world.

McIlroy was one of the leading voices against LIV Golf when it launched in 2022, a tour that caused a rift in professional golf due to its controversial Saudi funding. He went as far as to say he “hated” LIV and vowed he would retire if it became the only option left in professional golf. This strong stance made his recent shift in attitude even more surprising. By mid-2023, McIlroy had acknowledged that LIV Golf was now “part of our sport” and admitted he would consider competing in a LIV-backed tournament.

This dramatic U-turn caught many in the golfing community off guard. However, McIlroy’s friend and fellow golfer Billy Horschel has come to his defense. In an interview with *Golf, by TourMiss*, Horschel emphasized McIlroy’s honesty and openness, qualities that he believes set McIlroy apart in the world of golf.

“The great thing about Rory is that he’s always been pretty honest with everyone,” Horschel said. “He speaks his mind and tells things as he sees them. While he’s changed his opinion on what’s happening in men’s golf, I don’t blame him for it. In fact, I applaud him for listening, re-evaluating his views, and being honest about it. There aren’t many guys in golf better than Rory.”

McIlroy’s shift in attitude came after the PGA Tour confirmed a “framework agreement” with LIV Golf’s financial backers in mid-2023, signaling a potential merger between the two sides. While this merger has not yet been finalized, it has prompted McIlroy to take a more pragmatic approach towards LIV’s role in the sport.

At the same time, McIlroy has expressed concerns about the hurdles standing in the way of a final peace deal in golf. Speaking to reporters, he pointed to two major obstacles: potential scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and divided opinions among players on both sides of the divide.

McIlroy remains cautiously optimistic about the merger, citing productive discussions in New York. However, he acknowledged that the DOJ would likely scrutinize any agreement. “The Department of Justice is one of the biggest obstacles,” McIlroy said when asked about the challenges to reaching a deal. “There are also different interests among the players. Maybe half of the players on LIV want the deal to go through, and half probably don’t. It’s probably the same with the PGA Tour players. People are looking out for their own best interests, so it’s not easy.”

He further explained the complexities of a members-run organization like the PGA Tour, where players are involved in both golfing decisions and the business side of the sport. “I think the tours want it to happen, and the investors certainly want it to happen because they see the benefits. The people making the decisions are all rowing in the same direction, which is good. But even then, a deal might not happen because it’s a very complicated situation.”

Despite the challenges, McIlroy remains hopeful, noting that the prevailing sense of optimism is a positive sign for the future of golf.