Rory McIlroy divides opinion with PGA Tour remarks: "What is he talking about?!"
Rory McIlroy appeared to leave golf fans scratching their heads with his comments following the Arnold Palmer Invitational on the PGA Tour.
Rory McIlroy has called into question whether golf fans really enjoy the world's best PGA Tour players struggling to make birdies following his comments after finishing tied second at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
McIlroy rallied late at Bay Hill and agonisingly missed a 10 footer on the par-4 18th to move into the outright lead.
He then saw fellow TaylorMade staff player Kurt Kitayama drain a 12 footer for birdie on the 17th while he was in the scorer's hut.
Kitayama would go on to par the last and record his maiden PGA Tour title by one shot over McIlroy and Harris English.
It also marked the first time since 1990 that a player had won on their tournament debut.
Bay Hill has typically proven a stern test for the world's best golfers, and last week was no different.
McIlroy just isn't certain golf fans really want to tune in to see bogeys instead of a flurry of birdies, especially on a final round.
When asked about whether he felt the atmosphere out there at late great Arnie's place, McIlroy replied:
McIlroy certainly looked pleased for Kitayama as he not once, but twice slapped Kitayama on the bum.
Taking a look at social media, and it would appear a number of golf fans have been left somewhat baffled by McIlroy's comments about "entertainment value", especially given about 10 players had a chance to win the tournament with about four holes left to play.
"Such an odd take by Rory," tweeted one fan. "It's almost like he's become a bit detached from real golf and become one of the elite who doesn't understand what fans want."
Another tweeted: "What separates players is not the easy but the challenging, fair but demanding. When you make it easy and favor birdies, you eliminate the mental grind side of the game, which makes it the most addictive."
"That was literally the most entertaining Sunday of the year," commented another. "What is he talking about?"
Even DP World Tour pro Eddie Pepperell tweeted: "That's why a hard US Open is such a good watch."
Pepperell last week had plenty to say about the PGA Tour removing cut marks from its designated events in 2024.
GolfMagic Editor Andy Roberts spoke more about all of this in the latest episode of the GolfMagic 'From The Tips' Podcast, which you can watch below:
