Rory McIlroy: Why Jon Rahm’s ‘opportunistic’ LIV Golf move makes sense 

If Rory McIlroy has one regret during golf’s so-called civil war, it’s that he was ‘too judgemental’ of players who jumped ship for LIV Golf.

McIlroy was the most vocal LIV critic as many of his peers left the PGA Tour and signed lucrative contracts with the controversial Saudi-backed breakaway series.

But reflecting on the storm as his circuit continues its attempts to finalise a merger with the Public Investment Fund bankrolling the LIV enterprise, McIlroy admits his outlook has changed.

“I was maybe a little judgmental of the guys who went to LIV golf at the start,” he told the Stick to Football podcast. “I think it was a bit of a mistake on my part because I now realise that not everyone is in my position or in Tiger Woods’ position.

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“We all turn professionals to making a living playing the sports that we do, and I think that’s what I realised over the last two years.

“I can’t judge people for making that decision, so if I regret anything, it was probably being too judgmental at the start.”

McIlroy admits he remains irked by the players who “just started talking c*** about where they’ve come from” after leaving the domains on which they built their careers.

But he clearly holds no resentment for players solely for their decision to switch tours.

McIlroy said after Jon Rahm’s seismic LIV defection last month that he would miss competing against the Spaniard week in week out, whilst also raising eyebrows by suggesting Ryder Cup Europe should rip up the rulebook to ensure the Masters champion is eligible to compete in the 2025 match in New York.

And McIlroy feels Rahm’s decision carries little risk given he is eligible for the majors for the next five years, while a deal to unite the game’s warring factions also edges closer.

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“I think at this point with the whole framework agreement and the merger news in June, it has legitimised what LIV was trying to do, which then made it easier for guys to jump over to LIV Golf,” McIlroy said, when asked his feelings about Rahm’s move.

“Jon Rahm hasn’t got any of the heat for going like the first guys got for going. Jon is a smart guy and I think he sees things coming together at some point so he’s thinking that he’ll take the upfront money, which is his prerogative, and if things come together, he’ll play LIV for a year then come back to play on the tour and play some team golf.

“I thought it was a smart business move from Jon – its opportunistic. I think he sees that things will come back together and he’s in a lucky position.

“There’s not one person that wouldn’t want him on our Ryder Cup team because of how good he is, so he was in a great position where there wasn’t a ton of risk involved for him to go.

“But I’ve got no problem with him going if that’s what he wants to do and he thinks that’s the right decision for him and his family, then who am I to say any different at this point.”

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.