Will McIlroy Also Head to LIV Golf?

Asked about the possibility of transfer, "Who knows?"
From hostile feelings to a conciliatory attitude
Encouragement to Ram as well, "I respect your choice"

The atmosphere is tense.

Rory McIlroy is answering questions from the press at the official press conference of the Cognizant Classic. [Palm Beach Gardens, USA=AFP·Yonhap News]

This is about the speculation surrounding Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), world No. 2, potentially transferring to LIV Golf. At the official press conference for the PGA Tour's Cognizant Classic (total prize money $9 million) held on the Champions Course (par 71) at PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, on the 28th (local time), when asked about the possibility of moving to LIV Golf, he smiled and replied, "It's somewhere in the middle. Nobody knows what will happen in the future. Who knows?"

Although his answer sounded like a joke, he has recently become noticeably more conciliatory toward LIV Golf. McIlroy had shown a more hostile attitude than anyone else since LIV Golf launched in 2022. He even said he would rather retire than play as a LIV Golf player. However, after the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), which finances LIV Golf, and the PGA Tour agreed to collaborate last year, McIlroy's stance gradually changed.

McIlroy expressed the opinion that players who left for LIV Golf should be welcomed back if they return to the PGA Tour. He also advocated for PIF and the PGA Tour to join forces to create a World Tour to unify the divided world of golf. He encouraged Jon Rahm (Spain), world No. 3, who made a sudden move to LIV Golf before this season, saying, "I respect his choice."

Regarding the provocation from LIV Golf’s Taylor Gooch (USA), who said the major tournaments without LIV Golf players are "half-hearted," McIlroy dismissed it lightly, saying, "Looking at the whole context, it seems like something said in response to a leading question." McIlroy will challenge his 25th PGA Tour victory at the Cognizant Classic, which opens on the 29th.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.