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WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for season one of Netflix series Full Swing.

New Netflix golf docu-series ‘Full Swing’ is about to drop – and, as a result, things could get even messier in the already fractured world of men’s professional golf.

The behind-the-scenes eight-parter goes live on the subscription streaming platform from February 15, promising viewers a warts-and-all look at life on the PGA Tour.

Producers filmed throughout 2022, during which time the sport split down the middle by the emergence of the LIV Golf League.

• Johnson suffers blow ahead of new LIV season

• Tiger Woods confirms PGA Tour comeback

The tensions created by the Saudi-funded enterprise are explored extensively and reach a stunning climax in the final episode, which focuses heavily on Rory McIlroy.

The world No.2 – one of the most vocal opponents to LIV – is seen getting a massage at last year’s Tour Championship when the subject of American football and, in particular, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen comes up.

Informed that Allen is a fan of golf and the NFL, McIlroy responds, “Yeah but he’s a Phil Mickelson, so– ”

The Irishman and others in the room can be heard laughing, as one voice says, “That’s true. Sounds like this guy’s losing credibility.”

McIlroy then shouts: “F**k you, Phil! I hope that makes it in.”

McIlroy also pokes fun at Patrick Reed, with whom he was embroiled in an ugly spat at the recent Dubai Desert Classic.

• Scheffler regains world No.1 spot

• Tiger shares plans for 8,000 YARD course

During a conversation with a reporter on the driving range, McIlroy describes Reed tumbling down the OWGR after playing in an Asian Tour event as “beautiful, beautiful”.

Elsewhere in the episode, McIlroy is seen attending a charity breakfast where the subject of LIV again comes up.

“It’s been contentious at times and I’ve maybe leaned in to that part of it a little bit too much and made it too personal in my mind,” he says. “But I feel like what some people have done has affected the rest of the profession so I’m just trying to defend what I think is right.

Read our review of season one of “Full Swing” on Netflix. Contains spoilers.


author headshot

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor

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