Former Rory McIlroy ally denies being source of wild rumour: "It never came from me"

Rory McIlroy's former agent Andrew 'Chubby' Chandler has denied being the source of the rumour that the Northern Irishman was poised to join the LIV Golf League for $850m. 

Cast your mind back to April and McIlroy had already made more than his fair share of headlines over his comments about the breakaway tour. 

WATCH: Rory McIlroy hits back at loud heckler with Ryder Cup claim before Olympic bid

At the turn of the year he softened his stance significantly by saying he was 'too judgemental' of golfers that joined LIV for vast sums of money. 

It was a mistake, he said, and he conceded LIV Golf was part of the sport now and here to stay. 

Some accused the 35-year-old of betraying his principles by performing what appeared to be a complete U-turn.

Even LIV's $200m poster boy, Phil Mickelson, stepped in and urged people to be kind. 

"Let's not use this as an opportunity to pile on," Mickelson wrote on X.  

"Rather, it's time for me and others to let go of our hostilities and work towards a positive future."

A week after The Masters, a report by City AM claimed the four-time major champion was pondering a sensational switch to LIV for an up-front fee of $850m plus a 2% equity stake in the tour. 

McIlroy usually never comments on rumours as he has contended on many occasions that responding to each and every one is a fool's game. 

But he was quick to squash that one, insisting that he had never been offered a number by LIV and nor would he entertain an offer. 

McIlroy said he would play the PGA Tour for the rest of his life. 

"I've made it clear over the last two years that I don't think [LIV] is something for me,” McIlroy previously said. 

"It doesn't mean that I judge people that have went and played over there. 

"I think one of the things that I’ve realised over the past two years is people can make their own decisions for whatever they think is best for themselves. 

"Who are we to judge them for that?

"But personally, for me, my future is here on the PGA Tour and it's never been any different. I will play on the PGA Tour for the rest of my career."

So whodunnit? 

Some were quick to point the finger at McIlroy's former agent Chandler. 

The pair split in acrimonious circumstances in 2011, with the Ulsterman claiming he felt like Chandler was leading him down the wrong path. 

Chandler denied starting the rumour in an interview with @flushingit at LIV Golf United Kingdom. 

"No, they weren't from me at all," he said of the rumours. "It was just my thought [that he was going]. 

"And I still think it is [possible he could join LIV]. 

"If Rory was hoping to bring the game together, in a funny sort of way, if he signed for LIV, it would make everybody come together. 

"But he would do it the wrong way round. At the end of the day, if Rory is amongst this lot, then you've almost got what you want. 

"I mean, I'm not telling Rory to do anything. Rory is his own man and he always has been since he was 17 years old he was his own man and he still is."

You can watch the full interview with Chandler here. 

Watched our latest YouTube video?