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“I think there are ways to mend that and bring it back together. But with everything else that’s going on right now, I don’t see that happening anytime in the future.”
“Being right in the middle of things has been tough at times and it’s probably taken time away from the two things that are most important to me which are family and golf,” McIlroy admitted of his position as unofficial spokesperson for the PGA Tour gamers.
“But there’s certain times where things just need to be done and you have to put yourself out there to stand up for what you believe in. And I feel like that’s what I’ve done this year and I’ll continue to keep doing that , but at the same time still try to be the best player in the world.
“So I’m sporting loads of completely different hats on the minute, however I really feel like I’m in a position to deal with all of it fairly effectively in the mean time.”
Many high-profile players have left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf — including major winners Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka — enticed by $250 million in total prize money and an attempt to reform the PGA Tour.
They have faced criticism from fellow players for abandoning golf’s traditions and accepting money from a country which has been widely condemned by human rights groups.
‘A hard one for me to stomach’
In response to the existential threat of LIV Golf, the PGA Tour has suspended anyone who has joined the breakaway series.
On the DP World Tour — formerly the European Tour — however, the initial fine and suspension for three events handed to the LIV Golf players was temporarily blocked by a UK arbiter, and so at next month’s BMW PGA Championship, McIlroy will face off against players who are now a part of LIV Golf.
“It’s a tough one for me to abdomen the truth that I’m going over to play an occasion and 18 of these guys are going to be enjoying in the identical area,” McIlroy said.
“I do not like that, that is not one thing that I actually wish to be any a part of, however for me, simply as dedicated as I’m to the PGA Tour, I wish to make that dedication to the DP World Tour as effectively. “
The eligibility of European LIV Golf players to compete in the Ryder Cup is still the subject of legal disputes while the American LIV Golf players are unlikely to participate as they cannot accumulate the required qualification points from the PGA Tour from which they are suspended.
Since LIV Golf players can currently compete on the DP World Tour, they are able to accumulate the qualification points required to represent Europe at the Ryder Cup, a factor also prompting McIlroy to compete in these upcoming European events.
Asked if the LIV golfers ought to be allowed to play within the Ryder Cup, McIlroy informed CNN, “No, if I had my approach, no.
“I want to support [Luke Donald] as a captain. And so, I’m trying to do things all for the right reasons and those 18 guys over there have done things that I don’t agree with. And it’s a shame that it’s come to this point.”
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