Rory McIlroy dismisses Phil Mickelson view that PGA Tour trending downwards

'The guys that went over to LIV, they're the ones that have made the disruption, they're the ones that have sort of put the golf world in flux right now'

Thu, 20 Oct, 2022 - 09:41

Peter Rutherford

RORY McIlroy says he does not agree with Phil Mickelson's assertion that the PGA Tour is "trending downwards", believing that the golfers who joined the Saudi-backed breakaway LIV Golf Series have thrust the sport into a state of flux.

The LIV Series, which launched in June, has lured away some of the sport's biggest names with enormous purses while those who joined the rebel circuit are no longer eligible to participate in PGA Tour events.

Six-times major winner Mickelson said last week that he was happy with his decision to join LIV and that he had picked the "winning side".

"I don't agree with what Phil said - I certainly don't see the PGA Tour trending downward at all," four-times major winner McIlroy told reporters at Congaree Golf Club on Wednesday, ahead of the CJ Cup in Ridgeland, South Carolina.

"I don't think anyone that takes a logical view of the game of golf can agree with what he said ... The guys that went over to LIV, they're the ones that have made the disruption, they're the ones that have sort of put the golf world in flux right now.

"I guess for them to be talking the way they are, it's bold and I think there's a ton of propaganda being used and all sorts of stuff."

McIlroy has his sights set on becoming world number one for the ninth time as he bids to defend his CJ Cup title. He can return to the top of the rankings for the first time since July 2020 by winning his 23rd PGA Tour event at Congaree Golf Club in South Carolina, the tournament having moved from Las Vegas.

Current number one Scottie Scheffler would also have to finish worse than a two-way tie for second, although McIlroy can also overhaul the Masters champion with outright second place if Scheffler is outside the top 35.

McIlroy tees it up with Tom Kim and Rickie Fowler at 3.20pm Irish time, while Shane Lowry is in a group with US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick and Jason Day earlier at 2.27pm. Séamus Power is off at 5.13pm with KH Lee and Sebastian Munoz.

Reuters