“I can't play in that one, unfortunately” – Rory McIlroy gets candid on missing a LIV Golf event
Rory McIlroy was all praise for the Spanish golf culture ahead of the DP World Tour Championship. Speaking ahead of the European tour event in Dubai, the Northern Irishman recalled his last appearance in Spain and said he’d ‘love’ to return to the country.
McIlroy, recalling his appearance at Finca Cortesin, lauded the Spanish crowd. The four-time Major champion named The Spanish Open among the events he’d like to play soon. Interestingly, he also addressed the yearly LIV Golf event in Valderrama. The PGA Tour star said ‘unfortunately’ he can’t play that one (LIV Golf Andalucia).
He commented without naming the Saudi-backed series event taking place at the Real Club Valderrama in Sotogrande.
Speaking ahead of the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in UAE, Rory McIlroy said, as quoted by ASAP Sports:
“I think Finca Cortesin was the last time I played in Spain in the Match Play tournament. Yeah, there's a lot of different places I would like to go and play. I think for me after the summer in America and I play the Irish only and Wentworth and the Dunhill, typically, or at least some years, there's only so many tournaments you can play.
"But I would love to go back and play The Spanish Open and The French Open… I would certainly like to go back and play in front of the Spanish fans eventually. It's just a matter of trying to make it all work. And there's an event at Valderrama every year but I can't play in that one, unfortunately.”
It is pertinent to note that his comment on missing the LIV Golf event in Valderrama came right after he lauded Sergio Garcia. The Irishman called the LIV star ‘inspiring’ and added that playing alongside the 44-year-old on the Ryder Cup squad was a “dream come true.”
Rory McIlroy thinks Donald Trump can end the PGA Tour-LIV Golf divide
Rory McIlroy believes that Donald Trump could bring golf together. The four-time Major champion, who’s openly slammed the Saudi-backed series in the past, opined that Trump’s return to the White House could bring peace in the ongoing PGA Tour-LIV Golf negotiations.
McIlroy is a PGA Tour board member for the unversed and has been a major part of the negotiations with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). Having showed confidence in the deal in the past, the ace golfer has now backed Trump to resolve it. His comment came after Trump suggested that he could solve golf’s “civil war” in “15 minutes” while speaking on Bill Belichick's Let's Go podcast.
Rory McIlroy told reporters on November 6 after Trump claimed victory in the US presidential election, as quoted by BBC:
“Given what's happened (election result), I think that clears the way a little bit.”
It is pertinent to note that the divisive split in men’s professional golf entered the route to resolution when the two sides agreed to come together for a prospective deal.
However, the proposed deal, first unveiled in June 2023, was rumored to face opposition from America’s Department of Justice (DOJ) due to potential breaches of anti-competition laws. Many, including Rory McIlroy, believe that Trump could resolve the issue using his Presidential powers.