Jon Rahm and Phil Mickelson have offered their thoughts on Rory McIlroy’s latest comments about the PGA Tour and LIV Golf schism.
Phil Mickelson chuckled before deferring a reporter’s question about Rory McIlroy’s recent remarks to Jon Rahm.
McIlroy implied prior to playing at the Valero Texas Open that the disparity at the top of men’s golf must be addressed.
The Northern Irish individual emphasized the drop in viewership, hinting that golf fans might be getting tired of all the drama.
Mickelson and McIlroy have been known to exchange barbs ever since LIV Golf entered the scene in June 2022.
During their ‘feud’, Mickelson implied that no LIV team would be interested in having McIlroy due to the challenges of dealing with his behavior.
In response, McIlroy criticized Mickelson’s controversial ‘obnoxious greed’ remarks as ‘selfish, egotistical, and ignorant’.
He was subsequently recorded uttering ‘screw you, Phil!’ while getting a massage prior to the 2022 Tour Championship.
Fast-forwarding to April 2024, McIlroy’s perspective on LIV has considerably mellowed.
Mickelson has welcomed the change of heart.
Mickelson expressed the need for himself and others to release their hostilities and strive towards a brighter future, as McIlroy admitted at the beginning of the year that he had been overly critical of the golfers who joined LIV.
Consequently, Lefty opted to pass the microphone to Rahm when questioned about McIlroy’s recent statements prior to LIV Golf Miami.
Mickelson and Rahm were questioned by a journalist regarding their stance on Rory’s statement yesterday, where he expressed his disbelief in the sustainability of golf in its present condition. The reporter inquired if they shared the same opinion and whether they believed that the circuits should be merged once again.
Mickelson paused then turned to Rahm: “Go ahead, Jon”.
Rahm concurred with McIlroy’s viewpoint and elaborated, stating, “Whenever I am posed with a query of this nature, my response remains consistent. I firmly believe that there is space for both options.
“It is a straightforward matter. I believe we have the potential to achieve an enhanced outcome for the spectators and fans of the game, without causing any harm, by introducing a touch more diversity.”
I believe that with the right approach, we have the potential to create a superior product that can elevate the game of golf on a global scale. My aspiration is for this to become a reality.
Mickelson expressed uncertainty about the eventual outcome of the situation.
Mickelson expressed his confidence in Yasir by stating, “I am relying on Yasir,” in relation to LIV’s leader Yasir Al-Rumayyan.
He further stated that once the issues are resolved, he believes that the industry will significantly improve. This improvement will allow for the inclusion of top players from around the globe, leading to increased opportunities in manufacturing, course design, and inspiring players from different regions to participate in the game. He is confident that the industry will ultimately reach a much better state.
However, he acknowledges that currently, the industry is going through a disruptive phase, and it is challenging to navigate through this process. Despite the difficulties, he remains optimistic that they will overcome these obstacles and reach their desired outcome.
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