In what appears quite a turnaround, Rory McIlroy appears to have softened his stance on the row between the LIV Golf Series and the PGA and DP World tours, calling for talks between the warring sides.

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Not long ago, the 33-year-old called the LIV players “duplicitous” with reference to the way he saw them say one thing yet perform in another fashion, and has also been reported as falling out with former good friend Sergio Garcia with regard to the Spaniard’s outbursts against the more traditional tours.

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Speaking to BBC NI, the four-time major winner said, “Look, there’s so much chat about where the money’s coming from and Saudi and everything else, look they sponsor so many other things and they’re all over sport.”

Acknowledging the Saudi money that has been invested into other sports, he continued, “Aramco are big sponsors of Formula One, the Aramco Ladies Series in golf, which has actually been really good for the ladies in terms of big prize funds and so on, so I understand people’s reservations with everything.”

While recognizing the potential benefits, he has some reservations.

“But at the same time, if these people are serious about investing billions of dollars into golf, I think ultimately that’s a good thing.

“But it has to be done the right way and I think if they were to invest, having it be invested inside the existing structures.

“And I think that’s the thing I have tried to advocate for the last few months, I think at this point if people are wanting to spend that much money into golf that’s wonderful, I just wish that we could have spent that much money within the structure that has existed for many decades in golf instead of being a big disruptor.”

The disruption Rory refers to has seemed to continue well into the week of the Scottish Open, a traditional warm-up event for the main event, and this week taking place with 14 of the top-15 in the world rankings teeing it up. Ironically the one player missing is the recent Canadian Open champion.

Earlier this week, confirmed LIV player Ian Poulter was the beneficiary of a hearing against the DP World Tour sanction that fined and banned LIV players from the event at The Renaissance Club this week, whilst Billy Horschel has come out with some strong anti-LIV rhetoric, telling players to be honest about why they have left the PGA Tour.

Recognized as a spokesman for the history of the sport, McIlroy continued.

“I wish it hadn’t have got that messy and in hindsight I think there were probably steps that were missed that wouldn’t have made it that messy,” he said.

“But I said this back at the very start in 2020, I think in the long term it will make the game better because I think it will force the tours to adapt and change and make the product better, and focus on maybe the fan engagement side of things and focus on maybe some stuff that they’ve been neglecting over the years.

“I think in the long term it will sort itself out, as everything else does, it will, and I think ultimately it will make the game, and the game of professional golf, a better place.”

In contrast to reports about the ill-feeling towards all those that have jumped ship, McIlroy states, “I think defection is a strong word. I understand why guys have went, especially the guys that are sort of in the latter stages of their career and if I was in their position, I’d seriously have to think about doing the same thing.

“It’s the younger guys to me that I find hard to understand because they’re losing years of their competitive career for monetary reasons. We all make decisions for different purposes. That’s fine. It’s different to what I’d do.

“Is there resentment? I played in Ryder Cup teams with these guys. Is there a difference of opinion? Yes. There is a difference of opinion and I would have done things differently.

“I think at this stage if you go and play on a different tour, then go and play on a different tour. I think having your cake and eating is the resentment that’s within the membership.

“Because there’s only 48 players on this tour, so not every so not everyone’s going to get an opportunity to go and play. You’re leaving all your peers behind to go and make money, which is fine.

“Just go over there, don’t try and come back and play over here again. That’s the tricky part and that’s where the resentment is coming from. For me, I don’t resent anyone. These guys are my friends, regardless of the decisions they make.”

The current world number 3 continues his preparation for next week’s historic 150th Open Championship, held at St. Andrews, the ‘Home of Golf’, and an event that he won in 2014 at Royal Liverpool.

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