Sergio Garcia discredits Rory McIlroy pitch for LIV Golf future

Rory McIlroy made waves not too long ago when he joined Sky Sports activities’ Follow Soccer podcast. His opinion of LIV Golf and its position in skilled golf appeared to vary. The Northern Irishman detailed how LIV has identified among the flaws on the PGA Tour and will see the rival league present into the long run; however just for a short period of time.

McIlroy drew parallels to the Indian Premier League in cricket, which adjustments codecs for a brief time frame.

Nonetheless, Fireballs GC captain Sergio Garcia was not a fan of that suggestion, per The Normal.

“I don’t suppose we need to be essential for one month,” Garcia stated. “All of us deserve greater than that.”

Picture by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Photographs

If McIlroy had his means, the workforce format would exist for a month or two annually.

“You’ve gotten 4 weeks in Could and 4 weeks in November, and also you go and do that workforce stuff – it’s a bit completely different, and it’s a distinct format,” McIlroy stated on the podcast. “In the event that they had been to do one thing like that, I feel that seems like enjoyable – you’re at the very least working inside the ecosystem.”

Garcia and lots of others from LIV imagine the Saudi-backed tour is right here to remain. The cash that PIF has put into the league is for development and longevity — to not play a few instances a yr.

LIV not too long ago signed Jon Rahm to large deal price roughly $550 million, and it was a monumental shift. The Spaniard believes getting Rahm exhibits LIV Golf goes nowhere.

“It exhibits we’re right here to remain for a very long time,” he stated. “Individuals had been considering that is going to be two or three years after which gone. You’re seeing guys signal by to the late 2020s and possibly even the 2030s.”

When Rahm signed, quite a lot of Tour gamers didn’t criticize his selection. As an alternative, they referred to as out PGA Tour management. Viktor Hovland had fairly just a few phrases about their “vanity.”

Many guys who left for LIV earlier than Rahm acquired lots of condemnation from McIlroy and different PGA Tour gamers alike, however the reigning Masters champion didn’t. Garcia had an concept why.

“[Rahm] ought to most likely thank us somewhat bit for that – we knew, being the primary ones, we’d take some warmth,” Garcia stated. “We believed within the product, we believed in how good LIV is, and it may possibly change into even higher. We simply needed to trip the wave of criticism, however now persons are beginning to see the fact of it.”

Picture by Warren Little/Getty Photographs

It seems that a deal between the Saudi PIF and the PGA Tour is extra possible than not.

However as we’ve been saying, and Garcia clearly agrees, LIV is just not going wherever.

Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Enjoying Via. For extra golf protection, you should definitely observe us @_PlayingThrough on all main social platforms. It’s also possible to observe her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.