Rory McIlroy claims "betrayal" by LIV rebels as he opens up on St Andrews tears
New World No.1 Rory McIlroy has opened up on his current LIV Golf thoughts, how Greg Norman is "hiding" and his tears at the 150th Open Championship.
New World No.1 Rory McIlroy says the battle with LIV Golf has "gotten out of control" despite claiming Greg Norman is "hiding behind" the series being a force for good.
In an interview with Ewan Murray of The Guardian - which you can read here - McIlroy, 33, opened up on a number of topics.
Chief of which, quite obviously, was how things have panned out with LIV Golf.
Related: McIlroy is unquestionably the best in the world, writes Andy Roberts
The Northern Irishman claimed he felt "betrayed" by some of Ryder Cup Europe's biggest names making the leap to the Saudi-backed breakaway tour.
LIV Golf are due to host their season-ending tournament this week in Miami, with a prize purse of $50m.
Former Ryder Cup Europe stalwarts Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell and Henrik Stenson will be playing.
Stenson was sacked as the captain the European team in July before LIV Golf's Invitational in Bedminster.
Luke Donald, who has taken over from Stenson, remains largely in the dark about who will be in his side at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome next September.
McIlroy told Murray:
Of the Ryder Cup situation, McIlroy said:
McIlroy also claimed that he doesn't believe the Saudis' intentions were or are bad, but that they have been "misguided" over how they have spent their money.
LIV Golf have given out $255m over eight events in their inaugural season. In 2023, it that figure will increase to $405m.
McIlroy also believes that Dustin Johnson, who recently scooped an extra $18m for becoming LIV's season champion, might be "the smart one".
McIlroy renewed his rivalry with LIV Golf's chief executive, Greg Norman, before he won the CJ Cup at Congaree Golf Club.
That led to him becoming the World No.1 for the first time since the summer of 2020 and the ninth time in his career that he had reached the summit.
Of Norman, McIlroy told the publication:
McIlroy also opened up on just how much the disappointment of missing out on winning the 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews affected him.
At the time, McIlroy remained composed in interviews in the immediate aftermath of Cameron Smith's stunning final round which included one of the best up-and-downs for par in recent memory.
Smith later joined LIV Golf for a fee reportedly worth $140m.
McIlroy later sobbed into his wife Erica Stoll's arms after his near miss at the Home of Golf. He was similarly emotional last week after going straight over to his good luck charm when he won by one stroke in South Carolina.
McIlroy said of his tears:
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