Rory McIlroy issues clear message to Kevin Kisner over "dogs---" comment

The Masters champion came in for criticism from former US Ryder Cup vice captain Kevin Kisner.

18 Oct 2026

Rory McIlroy has brushed aside criticism from former US Ryder Cup vice captain Kevin Kisner.

Kisner, who was part of Keegan Bradley's leadership team at Bethpage Black last September, raised eyebrows earlier in the week when he criticised the reigning Masters champion over his motivations for teeing it up in India.

Speaking before the DP World India Championship, McIlroy reiterated his desire to be a global golfer but the 42-year-old American suggested the six-time major chamion was only in Delhi because he received a large appearance fee, which he suggested was as much as $10m.

"That is such a dogs--- comment," Kisner told the ForePlay podcast.

Rory McIlroy was criticised by Kevin Kisner

McIlroy, who finished in a share of 42nd in India, told Mirror Sports US that he wasn't aware of Kisner comments but dismissed them nonetheless.

"I don't know why me being in India would make Kis need to comment on that," McIlroy said.

"Two things can be true at the same time.

"People can get paid to come and play at a tournament, but at the same time, do it from a place of a genuine interest of trying to bring the sport to another country, a developing country, a country where the middle class in India is larger than the whole population of the United States. It's a huge market for golf."

McIlroy will now take a two-week break before returning to action at the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship at Yas Links Golf Club over 5-8 November.

Eugenio Chacarra's victory in India meant the Spaniard leapfrogged former Masters champion Patrick Reed at the top of the standings and now enjoys a healthy lead over McIlroy.

Reed had held the top spot for seven months but now McIlroy and his former Ryder Cup rival have it all to do ahead of the season finale.

McIlroy is attempting to win the order of merit for the eighth time, a feat that would draw him level with Colin Montgomerie's record he set in the 1990s.

What did Kevin Kisner say?

Kisner stressed that he too would've done the same as McIlroy

Kisner said: "That is such a dogs--- comment, but I guess for the right price we could all say that comment.

"He doesn't want to globally expand in India. He wants to get his $10m bucks and go play in India.

"I know there are a pile of guys who got paid for that event.

"How else would you get that event in India with eight billion people in the middle of the city?

"And Rory’s not even hitting a driver this week.

"You think he wants to go play a tournament where he can’t use his number one weapon? So give me a break."

Kisner added that McIlroy and his Ryder Cup teammates were likely given a script of things to say.

"And you need to mention these four lines in whatever interview you do throughout the week," he said.

"Which is totally fine, I'd do it too, and all of us on this podcast would.

"I just find it hilarious when you can pop up and play an event where Rory McIlroy can't hit his driver and all those guys show up, and nobody’s like, 'All right, this is stupid', whenever they can go play the sickest course in the world, and none of them show up.

"It's just very odd to me."