Paris Games 2024: Rory McIlroy hits out at LIV, PGA stalled merger after Olympic success
A euphoric crowd and seesawing battles among a reunited field of LIV and PGA players delivered a unanimous verdict; this was the boost a divided sport desperately needed.
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Four days of thrilling golf at the Olympic Games is building pressure on the warring LIV and PGA tours to end the “sh*t show” and strike a deal to unify the game.
A euphoric crowd and seesawing battles among a reunited field of LIV and PGA players delivered a unanimous verdict; this was the boost a divided sport desperately needed.
The star-studded field drew crowds of at least 20,000 on each of the four days, an example of the power of golf when its best players are on course.
Outspoken LIV critic Rory McIlroy heaped praise on the event, declaring it one of the best competitions he’s played in.
“I think with how much of a sh*t show the game of golf is right now and you think about the two tournaments, that might be the purest form of competition in our sport, we don’t play for money in it,” he said.
A merger between the PGA, DP World and LIV tours was announced more than a year ago, but a deal is yet to be struck.
Powerbrokers will be pressured to progress negotiations following the outright success of the men’s Olympic event and with just two years before Los Angeles 2028 rankings begin.
Qualification for the Olympics starts two years before a Games using World Golf Ranking points, which are not awarded to players competing in the breakaway LIV tour.
That prevented Cameron Smith from representing Australia in Paris, with Jason Day and Min Woo Lee ranked higher for sticking with the PGA and playing sanctioned events.
“There was obviously a risk of going to a different tour and not getting world ranking points,” Lee said.
“I’m a competitor, if it joins up it would obviously be probably more accurate with everyone playing.”
The West Australian acknowledged it was a boost for golf to have both camps playing together.
“I loved seeing my old friends, there’s no beef or anything like that,” he said.
“It was good to see all those guys over here and playing and hopefully one day we all join up together.”
Spaniard Jon Rahm – LIV’s star recruit and one of seven to compete at the Olympic Games – led for most of the final day before spectacularly choking on the 14th with a double bogey.
He said it was one of the “most meaningful weeks in my career”.
America’s Scottie Scheffler capitalised on the late collapse to clinch the gold medal.
Day praised Scheffler as the best since Tiger Woods and said he was among several guys playing “phenomenal” golf.
“I’ve got to do a lot of work to get to that level but it’s just a good step in the right direction,” he said.
Lee fought back from last place on the opening day to finish tied for 22nd at seven-under-par.
“The first day I felt devastated, like I let the country down, but I made sure I bounced back,” he said.
Originally published as Paris Games 2024: Rory McIlroy hits out at LIV, PGA stalled merger after Olympic success
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