Rory McIlroy: "The most uncomfortable I've felt in the last 12 months was my press conference yesterday"

TORONTO, ONTARIO - JUNE 08: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland hits his first shot on the 3rd hole during the first round of the RBC Canadian Open at Oakdale Golf & Country Club on June 08, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario. Pic: Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

While he is all too aware golf’s new normal is far from clear, Rory McIlroy was nonetheless relieved to get back to some semblance of normality after he shot a one-under-par 71 on the opening day of the RBC Canadian Open.

Out early in Toronto on Thursday, the defending champion was partnered with long-time Ryder Cup teammate Justin Rose. However the pair entered a pact as they strode down their first fairway to avoid discussing the bombshell merger between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabia-led LIV Golf, which turned the sport on its head Tuesday. Instead they would focus on playing the game — for a while at least.