Sergio Garcia appeared unhappy with Rory McIlroy’s suggestion to adapt LIV Golf in a similar way to the cricket’s IPL, and the Northern Irishman has now continued the back-and-forth.
Rory McIlroy has responded to Sergio Garcia’s disagreement regarding his comparison of LIV Golf to cricket’s Indian Premier League.
Initially, McIlroy was highly critical of LIV Golf when it first emerged in June 2022. However, as we approach the New Year, the four-time major winner seems to have become more open-minded about the Saudi league, with a potential peace agreement on the horizon. In a recent statement, McIlroy acknowledged that LIV Golf might indeed find a place in the professional golf schedule, albeit a minor one.
The suggestion made by the Northern Irishman proposes allocating a two-month period for the breakaway league each year, mirroring the successful model implemented by the lucrative IPL in the realm of professional cricket.
During an interview with Sky Bet’s Stick to Football podcast, he expressed his desire for LIV to transform into something similar to the Indian Premier League of golf. He drew a parallel with the IPL in cricket, where teams compete for two months during the calendar year, with four weeks in May and four weeks in November.
He found the team format and the different format of the IPL intriguing and believed that implementing something similar in LIV would be enjoyable. However, this suggestion did not sit well with Garcia, who is a dedicated supporter of LIV.
The Spaniard expressed his belief that the breakaway league should have a longer duration than just two months in a year. Currently, the LIV schedule runs from February to November. The exchange between the former teammates continued in the Middle East, where McIlroy spoke before his Dubai Desert Classic defense.
In response to Garcia’s claims, McIlroy issued a strong statement, saying, “Sergio seems to think he deserves a lot of things.” The golfing world seems to be on the path to reconciliation as the PGA Tour is currently in talks with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia regarding a potential deal with their LIV rivals.
The deadline for signing the agreement, which was initially scheduled for December 31, was missed last month. McIlroy acknowledges the challenge of finding a mutually beneficial agreement that satisfies all parties involved.
He emphasizes the difficulty in aligning everyone’s interests in the game at present. This week, McIlroy has the opportunity to become the most successful champion in the history of the Dubai Desert Classic, having already won the event three times, a record he shares with Ernie Els, another major champion.
However, McIlroy remains focused solely on the upcoming Dubai Desert Classic and has not let thoughts of breaking records distract him. He believes that by playing good golf and performing to his capabilities, he can later reflect on his achievements, but he never approaches a tournament with a mindset of surpassing others.
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