Paul McGinley regrets resignation as he fled ‘mouthpiece’ accusation

Former Ryder Cup-winning captain Paul McGinley is adamant his views on LIV golf have not changed but remains disappointed he was forced off the DP World Tour board.

In a record-straightening interview with Irish Golfer, McGinley has claimed his conflict of interests was called into question by certain LIV rebels.

After the breakaway players insisted his position was ‘compromised’, the Irishman chose to resign as a board member to avoid having that ‘accusation’ levelled at him.

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The Sky Sports analyst said: “I enjoyed being on the board and it’s regrettable that I had to come off it.

“It’s an important time for the board and I’m aware they didn’t want to lose me, but I didn’t want to be labelled a mouthpiece for the European Tour when I’m working in the media.

“I don’t want that accusation levelled at me, so I won’t be on the board. But you know what? My views are still the same.”

After transitioning from full-time playing to punditry in 2015, McGinley argued his ‘integrity’ was under fire given his status as a board member working in the media.

But McGinley has stayed loyal to golf’s established tours and has not backed down on his beliefs surrounding the disruption caused to the golf market by the Saudi-backed circuit.

The 56-year-old was disappointed to lose several big names from the DP World Tour, but his stance on removing players being a ‘victory’ for the tour hasn’t changed.

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McGinley said: “It was very, very simple in my eyes. You’re leaving to start a rival competitive tour to the one you’re already on, and if you do that, there’ll be repercussions.

“Why can’t we enforce rules to say, ‘guys, you were great when you were part of the DP World Tour, you’re now a competitor of ours and we’re going to treat you as such’.”

The massive changes to fields on either side of the pond have been noticeable, although McGinley still reckons the DP World Tour is the strongest it’s ever been.

He has acknowledged that the days of top players coming over to Europe for ‘25 tournaments are long, long gone’.

Despite leaving the board in March, McGinley remains clear ‘there is no evidence’ to suggest the tour is becoming less relevant, and that its ‘feeder tour’ reputation is misguided.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.