LONDON:
Rory McIlroy has said he would retire before joining the breakaway LIV Golf tour after it emerged he had been offered a franchise in the Saudi-backed project.
A US Senate sub-committee met on Tuesday to investigate a proposed merger between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund that ended a legal battle between the tours following LIV’s launch.
Documents from the hearing showed that as well as being offered franchises, Tiger Woods and McIlroy would play in 10 LIV events had they agreed to sign up.
“If LIV Golf was the last place to play golf on earth, I would retire,” said McIlroy, after his six under par first round at the Scottish Open on Thursday.
“That’s how I feel about it. I would play the majors, but I’d be pretty comfortable.”
A number of leading players who remained loyal to the PGA Tour have been critical of PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan for the lack of information they were given prior to the signing of a framework agreement.
McIlroy has been an outspoken defender of the PGA Tour and again refused to criticise Monahan, who will return to work on July 17 after a month away due to a medical issue.
“I’ve read a quote that they (the PGA Tour) were negotiating their survival. That’s a very fair thing for a business to do,” added McIlroy.
“I’m just apathetic towards all the noise around it. The thing I’ve realised, no matter what I do or say, or try to show leadership, I’m going to be just fine.
“I’ve tried to step up for maybe the guys that didn’t have a voice early on, but I think with everything that’s transpired over the last few weeks, the players are going to find themselves more and more at the table to try to get whatever it is that they want out of it.”
On the course, McIlroy shot an eagle and six birdies as his round of opening 64 left him three shots off the lead.
South Korea’s An Byeong-hun recorded a flawless 61 that equalled the course record at the Renaissance Club.
American Davis Riley is second on seven under.
“It’s a really good start,” McIlroy said. “I’ve not had particularly great results around this course the last couple of times but I feel like my game is definitely in better shape now.
“I feel like I’m coming in here playing really good golf, producing good results and getting myself in contention and I’m just really trying to do the same things and adapt to the different conditions we’re going to face over the next couple of weeks.”
An had an even better day as he picked up nine birdies in a bogey-free round.
“I couldn’t play any better,” said the world number 131, who could secure himself a place at Hoylake by finishing in the top three players not to have already qualified.
“I drove it well, chipped it well,utted well.”
Belgium’s Thomas Detry joined McIlroy in the clubhouse on six under.
World number one Scottie Scheffler is back at two under.
