Rory McIlroy performed a shock U-turn over LIV Golf admitting he may have been too harsh on the defectors – but his backtracking has caught the attention of Brooks Koepka and his wife.
Jena Sims, the wife of Brooks Koepka, has playfully taken a jab at Rory McIlroy, who recently had a change of heart regarding the breakaway tour LIV Golf.
During an appearance on Sky Bet’s Stick to Football podcast, McIlroy admitted that he made a “mistake” by criticizing players who joined the lucrative Saudi switch.
The four-time major champion acknowledged that not everyone is in his or Tiger Woods’ position and that players turn professional to make a living from the sport they love. Reflecting on the past two years, McIlroy expressed regret for being too judgmental initially.
McIlroy’s reversal prompted a reaction from one of LIV’s prominent stars, as Koepka shared a mysterious GIF of the famous “none of my business” Kermit the Frog meme with his 622,000 followers on X. Following suit, Koepka’s wife Sims took a less cryptic approach and mentioned McIlroy directly on Instagram, taking a pointed jab at his change of heart by saying: “New Year, New Rory.”
Despite the ongoing negotiations to finalize the surprising merger announced in the summer, more players may still join LIV Golf. McIlroy has stated that he has come to accept LIV as a part of golf’s future. “I’ve spent the past two years approaching the world with an altruistic mindset, seeing it the way I wanted to see it,” he added.
“In the end, you can express your opinions and take actions, but ultimately, you can’t change people’s minds. You can’t make them decide based on what you say. I wouldn’t say I’ve given up the fight against LIV, but I’ve simply acknowledged that it is now a part of our sport.”
The 34-year-old golfer has also drawn comparisons between LIV and cricket’s Indian Premier League. “What I envision for LIV is for it to become something akin to the Indian Premier League of golf,” McIlroy remarked.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) in cricket spans over two months in the calendar, with four weeks allocated in May and another four weeks in November. During this time, players engage in team activities that deviate from the usual format. This unique approach brings about a refreshing change and adds an element of excitement.
If a similar concept were to be implemented elsewhere, it would undoubtedly be an enjoyable experience as it allows individuals to operate within a familiar environment.
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