As names are floating around to join the LIV roster for the 2023 season, Pga Tour stalwart Rory McIlroy has issued a call to arms to Jay Monahan and the rest of the PGA Senior Leadership.
McIlroy said:
“I believe there is no more time to waste. The PGA Tour and LIV will have to find a compromise and speak for the sake of our sport.”
Rory McIlroy on #LIVGolf and the #PGATour discussing a compromise:
“I believe there is no more time to waste, PGA Tour and LIV will have to find a compromise and speak for the sake of our sport.”
Time to answer the calls Jay, figure this thing out.
— Liv Golf Updates (@LIVGolfUpdates) November 5, 2022
In a well-polished answer. Rory stated that golf differs from other sports like soccer, where more leagues can co-exist and maintain a high standard. We can see clearly that this has not happened with LIV Golf in the eyes of an average golf fan – mediocre golf being played by many at LIV Jeddah was mirrored by a less-than-stellar field at the Bermuda Championship.
Rory suggesting a compromise between the two Tours is intriguing and necessary. Obviously, any ground conceded by the PGA results in a win for LIV and a further incentive to jump ship – such is the nature of the zero-sum game between the two entities. The ability to play on the LIV Tour and qualify for majors would be a win-win for LIV players, a shorter schedule for the calendar year without missing the most sought after events. But, then, there is little reward for the PGA Tour players who have remained loyal despite the multi-million dollar carrot being dangled in front of their eyes.
Here’s the clip of Bubba Watson talking about those criticizing the #LIVGolf guaranteed money and the same thing is happening on the PGA Tour:
“We’ve all been doing that, we’ve all been playing for guaranteed money” pic.twitter.com/fdG6kXhPfL
— LIV Golf Updates (@LIVGolfUpdates) November 3, 2022
The lawsuits filed by Patrick Reed and the recent comments made by Bubba Watson do nothing to improve relationships between the Tours – instead rather cast a black cloud over the strain between LIV and PGA players. Filing lawsuits is an obvious attempt to harm the PGA Tour rather than just continue one’s golf elsewhere.
Rory’s words suggest that diplomatic solutions will be required, and the time for sly digs has likely passed. Now that LIV is here to stay, there must be a way of repairing relationships between players and isolating where the LIV Golfers stand with regard to Ryder Cup participation, world ranking, and major qualification.
Cover Image Via EssentiallySports
