Rory McIlroy makes promise to Erica after slamming 'flawed' LIV Golf argument

Rory McIlroy believes Phil Mickelson's argument is 'flawed'.

31 May 2023

Rory McIlroy makes promise to Erica after slamming 'flawed' LIV Golf argument — Rory McIlroy makes promise to Erica after slamming 'flawed' LIV Golf…

Rory McIlroy says he wants his wife Erica Stoll and daughter Poppy to 'know who I am' as he revealed he hasn't changed his mind over European LIV Golf players competing at the Ryder Cup.

Speaking before the Memorial at Muirfield Village, McIlroy emphasised he's trying to obtain a better work/life balance.

So much so, he revealed he's not been too involved in recent discussions about whether or not next year's designated events on the PGA Tour should or shouldn't have a 36-hole cut.

"Look, I think that's all TBD," McIlroy said. "I'm not sure. Honestly, I haven't really been a part of those conversations over the last few weeks."

It's a topic that Jon Rahm and Patrick Cantlay already disagreed about.

As for the forthcoming Ryder Cup, McIlroy insisted newly-crowned PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka deserves to be in the U.S. Ryder Cup side on merit.

He questioned which other Americans playing LIV Golf would but was adamant there should be no place for the likes of Sergio Garcia.

Garcia was once extremely close with McIlroy but their relationship has gone south ever since the Spaniard joined LIV.

World No. 2 Rahm was passionate in his defence of Garcia earlier in the week. "I'm going to miss him," Rahm said.

McIlroy said:

"I mean, I certainly think Brooks deserves to be on the United States team. I think with how he's played, I mean, he's second in the U.S. standings, only played two counting events.

"I don't know if there's anyone else on the, you know, on the LIV roster that would make the team on merit and how they're playing. But Brooks is definitely a guy that I think deserves to be on the U.S. team.

"But I have different feelings about the European team and the other side and sort of how that has all transpired and, yeah, I don't think any of those guys should be a part of the European team."

McIlroy also scoffed at a recent suggestion from Phil Mickelson that the breakaway tour's schedule is the 'best way' to prepare for majors.

LIV Golf played eight events in their inaugural season and are playing 14 in 2023.

It's a number that Mickelson et al think provides ample time away from the course to prepare for the big four.

McIlroy said: "You only have to play 15 events on this tour."

| Rory McIlroy says Brooks Koepka deserves to be in the U.S. Ryder Cup side but feels differently about European LIV Golf players "because of how it's transpired". pic.twitter.com/MKjT0HbMsa
— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) May 31, 2023

He added: "You know, like it's not, you know, no one makes anyone play 25 events on the PGA Tour, 15 is the minimum."

McIlroy described the argument as 'flawed'.

Before McIlroy left his press conference he was asked what the most challenging thing he's going through at the moment with regard to a work-life balance.

Love LIV or hate it, it’s the best way/Tour to be your best in the majors. Enough events to keep you sharp, fresh and ready, yet not be worn down from too many tournaments or obligations. 14 LIV events, 34 weeks left open to prepare for the 4 majors. Fact.
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) May 23, 2023

McIlroy said:

"Yeah, I think it's that. It's making sure that I spend enough time on my golf and on my career that I feel like I'm ready to play tournaments like this.

"But then at the same time that I spend enough time with my wife and my daughter so they actually know who I am. I'm not saying that I don't, but there's that balance of, you know, it's time management, it's just getting your priorities in order."

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