“I think there are ways to fix that and put that back together. But with everything else that’s happening right now, I don’t see that in the future.”
“Being in the thick of things was tough at times and it probably took time away from the two things that are most important to me, which are family and golf,” McIlroy admitted of his role as unofficial spokesman for PGA Tour players.
“But there are times when things just have to be done and you have to put yourself out there to stand up for what you believe in. And I feel like I’ve done that this year and will continue to do that, but at the same time I’m still trying to be the best player in the world.
“So I’m wearing a lot of different hats at the moment, but I feel like I’m handling everything pretty well at the moment.”
Many high-profile players have left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf – including big winners Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka – lured by a combined prize pool of $250 million and an attempt to reform the PGA Tour.
They have faced criticism from fellow players for abandoning golf’s traditions and accepting money from a country widely condemned by human rights groups.
“Difficult for me in the stomach”
In response to LIV Golf’s existential threat, the PGA Tour has suspended everyone who has joined the Breakaway Series.
On the DP World Tour – formerly the European Tour – however, the initial three-event fine and suspension awarded to the LIV golfers was temporarily blocked by a UK referee and McIlroy will face off at next month’s BMW PGA Championship against players who are now part of LIV Golf.
“It’s hard for me to face the fact that I’m going to an event and 18 of these guys are going to be playing in the same field,” McIlroy said.
“I don’t like it, it’s not something I really want to be a part of, but for me, just as committed as I am to the PGA Tour, I want to make that commitment to the DP World Tour as well. “
The eligibility of European LIV golfers to participate in the Ryder Cup is still a matter of litigation, while the American LIV golfers are unlikely to participate due to their inability to earn the required qualifying points from the PGA Tour from which they are suspended.
Because LIV Golf players are currently able to compete in the DP World Tour, they can earn the necessary qualifying points to represent Europe at the Ryder Cup, a factor that also drives McIlroy to compete in these upcoming European events.
When asked if the LIV golfers would be allowed to play at the Ryder Cup, McIlroy told CNN, “No, if it were up to me, no.
“I want to support [Luke Donald] as captain. And so I try to do things for the right reasons, and those 18 guys over there have done things that I disagree with. And it’s a shame it has come to this.”