Rory McIlroy: 'He knew that decision was going to come with consequences'

This is the sixth PGA Tour event this season that has been conducted without a defending champion due to LIV desertions, but it is by far the most conspicuous as Cameron Smith misses out.

LIV LOVE LAUGH: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland speaks to the media in a press conference prior to THE PLAYERS Championship on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on March 07, 2023 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

The sound comes blaring from faux-rock speakers tucked in the carefully manicured landscaping as you walk along the long Davis Love III VIP entrance to the Players Championship.

In between the broadcast clips of “better than most” and “be the right club today” comes voices from past champions talking about how much the winning the tour’s flagship event meant to them.