Rory McIlroy has been using every opportunity since the creation of LIV Golf to criticize LIV Golfers and this Tour. The fact that he was part of the PGA Tour Policy Board was an additional reason why the Northern Irishman had such an attitude towards LIV Golf.
McIlroy emphasized month after month what the priorities of LIV Golf are, stating that individuals leaving the PGA Tour are primarily motivated by money. His statements have caused frustration among LIV Golfers who do not have special sympathies for him.
However, a few months ago, there was a change in Rory McIlroy’s opinions. This outstanding golfer highlighted that LIV Golfers have the right to return to the PGA Tour and apologized for his criticisms. What changed McIlroy’s opinion is still not clear.
Many believe it’s the decisions of PGA Tour leaders who didn’t allow PGA Tour golfers to be involved in certain decisions. Brooks Koepka was one of the targets of criticism from McIlroy. However, it seems that Koepka doesn’t hold much of a grudge against McIlroy at this point.
In an interview for the Independent, Koepka spoke about his biggest rival. Many were surprised when Koepka emphasized that his biggest rival is Rory McIlroy. Brooks spoke in superlatives about the Northern Irishman, considering him one of the best golfers.
Koepka aims to be equally as good as him and achieve great things.
“Most people are probably going to hate this answer, but like Rory, right? Because I feel like maybe —divulging a lot — but there’s a competition that I’m [not] sure maybe he’s that way or not, but like, okay, I’ve gotta get one more than him and then he’s going to try …
he’s gonna get to five soon
. And it’s like a one-up thing… we’re the same age, I think he’s like a year older, but you know where we are in the game for me, it’s like okay, I want to try to be a little bit better than him because I think he’s arguably one of the best players ever.
So it’s just trying to one up. For me, that’s how it feels anyway.”- he said, as quoted by independent.
Koepka shocked the golf scene when he decided to join LIV Golf. He was one of the first to make such a bizarre decision.
Now, leaving for LIV Golf doesn’t provoke quite as extreme reactions as it did at the beginning. It’s as if golf fans have already become accustomed to this. Additionally, with their moves, PGA Tour leaders have caused frustrations, leading many to start supporting LIV Golf.
Rory McIlroy’s former criticisms towards Koepka and Brooks’s reaction to them
As mentioned earlier, Rory McIlroy had a completely different stance on LIV Golf just a few months ago. At the time when Koepka left the PGA Tour, McIlroy had candid comments and didn’t hesitate to say what was on his mind.
“Am I surprised? Yes, because of what he (Koepka) said previously. That’s why I’m surprised at a lot of these guys because they say one thing and then they do another. It’s pretty duplicitous on their part to say one thing and then do another thing.”
Although it was expected that Koepka might potentially have a strong reaction and immediately criticize McIlroy, things were different.
Brooks showed respect for the Northern Irishman and emphasized that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. The two of them spent many years playing together, and Koepka didn’t want to further worsen their relationship. What is interesting is that during those moments, Koepka emphasized that ‘everyone changes their mind,’ which ultimately did happen.
“I’ve got respect for Rory as a player. He’s good. He’s phenomenal.
I’ll be honest with you, I didn’t see it [McIlroy’s comments]. I didn’t hear about it until basically like a day ago.
He’s entitled to his opinion. He can think whatever he wants.He’s going to do what’s best for him and his family, I’m going to do what’s best for me and my family – you can’t hate on anybody for that.”
In January of this year, there was a special moment when McIlroy, during one of the interviews, emphasized that he had changed his stance regarding LIV Golf.
McIlroy talked about how life involves making choices, stressing that some players chose LIV Golf while others stayed with the PGA Tour. He emphasized that players should be allowed to return to the PGA Tour if they still have eligibility without facing punishment.
McIlroy mentioned a change in his perspective, putting an accent on the importance of unity between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf for the overall benefit of the sport. He said that having both tours weakened would not be good for either party.