Rory McIlroy Calls Jon Rahm’s Defection to LIV Golf ‘Disappointing’: The PGA Offers ‘Superior Products’
Irish golfer Rory McIlroy expressed disappointment after finding out Jon Rahm was the latest player to defect to LIV Golf.
The Wall Street Journal on Thursday announced that Rahm decided to leave the PGA for its rival. Rahm, one of the top players in the world, is the reigning champion of the Masters Tournament and led Team Europe to a win over the Americans in the 2023 Ryder Cup.
Speaking to Sky Sports about Rahm’s decision, McIlroy called it “disappointing” but had nothing but praise for the Spanish player.
“It’s hard to sit here and criticize Jon because of what a great player he is and the experiences I’ve had with him,” McIlroy said. “But all I will say is that I’ll be disappointed not to play against him more regularly in the future.
“I have nothing but good things to say about Jon. I respect the hell out of him as a golfer; and he seems like he wants to live his life the right way. He wants to be a good day. He wants to be a good husband… The thing that I’ve realized is you can’t judge someone for making a decision that they feel is the best thing for them. Is it disappointing to me? Yes.”
In June, the PGA Tour shocked the world when it announced it had come to a framework agreement with LIV’s operator — Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. McIlory has been one of LIV’s most vocal critics and reaffirmed that after the news of the agreement when he said he “hated” the rival tour.
He theorized that the agreement has now made it easier for PGA pros to defect.
“I think because of that (agreement), it made the jump PGA Tour to LIV a little bit easier for guys,” McIlroy said. “They let the first guys really take the heat. This framework agreement legitimized what LIV was trying to do; and then I think it’s made it easier (to leave the PGA)… if that’s really what you wanna do. We’ve talked about this a lot. Product to product, I don’t think the two compare at all. The PGA Tour and DP (World Tour), they’re certainly superior products, I feel.”
Watch above via Sky Sports.
