Sergio Garcia has seen his relationship with Rory McIlroy tested since he joined the LIV Golf league, but tensions appear to be cooling with the ‘merger’ talks ongoing
Sergio Garcia has praised Rory McIlroy ‘s shift in stance towards LIV Golf, indicating a thawing of tensions within the sport.
The pair, who were once close friends and Ryder Cup teammates, saw their relationship strained when Garcia chose to leave the PGA Tour and DP World Tour for the LIV setup. This decision was met with criticism from McIlroy, who was one of the most vocal opponents of the breakaway league.
However, two years on, it seems McIlroy has had a change of heart regarding the Saudi-funded league, as the PGA Tour is currently in talks with LIV bosses about a potential peace deal.
Garcia expressed his approval of McIlroy ‘s new outlook on the LIV league to Golf Magic, saying: “I think it’s great. I think at the end of the day it shows we’re all very emotional and we try to defend our positions and stuff like that, but at the end of the day, it shows we all want to go in the same direction and make golf better.
“That’s the most important thing. Rory has seen that, he realises that trying to fight each other is not going to help anyone, and it’s definitely not going to help the game.”
McIlroy’s change in attitude seemed to be confirmed at last week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, where he played alongside LIV chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan in the Pro-Am event.
On the inaugural day which saw Al-Rumayyan tee off alongside PGA Tour Commissioner and fellow negotiator, Jay Monahan Rory McIlroy appeared to be in good spirits, engaging in a friendly chat with the Saudi official on the driving range. They then took their conversation to the fairways the following day.
Garcia gave his thumbs up to the blooming rapport among Scotland’s golf hierarchy. “I hope it’s moving closer [to unification],” he said. “I don’t know exactly what they talked about last week but yeah I hope it went well.
“I think that’s the goal for everyone. I wish it had happened a while back, but you know, everyone has their own agendas in a way and the way they want things to happen. But look, it’s good, they [Monahan and Al-Rumayyan] are sitting, they are talking, it’s a good start and hopefully we will hear something soon.”
Echoing the sentiment for collaboration, McIlroy emphasised the significance of discourse within the sport. “There’s no better place than the home of golf to try and get everyone together and talking,” he mentioned last week.
“I think it’s a great thing and a good sign that Jay and Yasir are going to play together on Thursday, and you’ve got quite a big contingent from LIV that are playing this event.”
He added, driving the point home: “It’s a matter of trying to get all the different constituents on board because I think the sponsors want the same thing. I think everyone just wants to see the game of golf come back together and have all of the best players playing together.”
“And try to make it a bit more global, as well. I think there are a lot of people on board with that and it’s just a matter of trying to work through the various sort of complicated issues that there are to try to get it done.”
