Contrary to popular belief, Rory McIlroy doesn't have a whole lot to walk back.
The PGA Tour frontman has held the megaphone for the establishment since the start of the golf world schism a few years ago, admittedly taking on a front-facing leadership role last year. With the news of the LIV Golf-PGA Tour merger, McIlroy's words are coming back to the front nine.
McIlroy's standing as de facto PGA Tour player spokesperson made him an easy target for detractors of the Tour and for those who opposed McIlroy's seeming undying loyalty, but taking a close look at what he's said in public since last year paints a different picture.
MORE: PGA Tour-LIV Golf winners and losers — Where Rory fits in puzzle
McIlroy has remained consistent in what he's said since LIV Golf teed off in 2022, and that continued through the week leading up to the 2023 RBC Heritage, when he once again took aim at LIV — but he seemed satisfied with the overall outcome.
Here's what Rors has said over the years about LIV, its players and his thoughts on how the PGA Tour fits in:
Feb. 21, 2022
McIlroy was none too pleased with Phil Mickelson's comments on LIV Golf "reshaping how the PGA Tour operates," and seems to think that the-then Saudi Golf League won't get off the ground. He also said that the PGA Tour is striving to get better as a league.
"Are there things the Tour could do better and they're working on? Of course, but that's the same in any business, in any sports league around the world, they're all trying to get better, just as the PGA Tour [is]. …
"Who's left? Who's left to go? I mean, there's no one. It's dead in the water in my opinion. Yeah, I just can't see any reason why anyone would go."
June 1, 2022
Ahead of LIV Golf's debut in London, McIlroy preaches a little bit of patience for for the two sides:
I certainly don't think they should drop the hammer. Look, they are well within their rights to enforce the rules and regulations that have been set. But it's going to end up being an argument about what those rules and regulations are. I have some very close friends that are playing in this event in London, and I certainly wouldn't want to stand in their way for them to do what they feel is right for themselves.
It's not something that I would do personally. But I certainly understand why some of the guys have [decided to play in London], and it's something that we are all just going to keep an eye on and see what happens over these next few weeks.
June 14, 2022
In his press conference ahead of the U.S. Open, McIlroy dishes on a bevy of topics related to LIV Golf, including his "disappointment" with Phil Mickelson and certain PGA Tour players going back on their word as it relates to LIV Golf.
I guess I took a lot of players' statements at face value. I guess that's what I got wrong. You had people committed to the PGA Tour and that's what the statements that were put out, and people went back on that. So I guess I took them at face value, took them at their word, and I was wrong.
On his relationships with players who made the jump:
I don't think it'll strain any relationships. I'm still gonna be close with the guys that have made the decision to play those events. It's not as if you agree with absolutely everything that all your friends do. You're gonna have a difference of opinion in a lot of things. And that's fine — that's what makes this a great world. We can't all agree on everything.
On Mickelson:
I've been disappointed with how he's went about what he's done. But I think he has come back and shown some remorse about how he's handled some things, so I think he's learned from that. …
Am I disappointed in him taking the route that he's taken? I am. But I still respect him tremendously.
MORE: What to know about the PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger
July 6, 2022
In an interview with the BBC, McIlroy says that all parties involved — the PGA Tour, LIV Golf and the DP World Tour — need to hold peace talks to get past whatever issue there is. He also says that it's a good thing to get more cash flowing into the PGA Tour.
"It's unfortunate. It's messy. I wish it hadn't got that messy. … Everyone has to pivot and change and try to be better and hopefully get to that stage but as you said now it's messy and all the narrative isn't good; it's splitting the game instead of everyone coming together. …
"I understand people's reservations with things but at the same time, if these people are serious about investing billions of dollars into golf, I think ultimately that's a good thing but it has to be done the right way. I think if they were to invest, having it be invested inside the existing structures. That's the thing I've tried to advocate for over the last few months."
Aug. 28, 2022
"I hate what it's done to the game of golf. I hate it. I really do," McIlroy said following the Tour Championship. "It's gonna be hard for me to stomach going to Wentworth (for the BMW PGA Championship) in a couple weeks' time and seeing 18 of them there. It just doesn't sit right with me.
"I feel strongly. I believe what I'm saying are the right things, and I think that when you believe what you're saying are the right things, you're happy to stick your neck out on the line."
April 4, 2023
McIlroy kept it very civil heading into the 2023 Masters, keeping the focus on the tournament and Augusta and away from LIV Golf.
"It's a very nuanced situation and there's different dynamics," McIlroy said. "It's OK to get on with Brooks (Koepka) and D.J. (Dustin Johnson) and maybe not get on with some other guys that went to it. …
"This week and this tournament is bigger than any of that. And it's just great that all the best players in the world are together again for the first time in, what seems like, quite a while."
MORE: Jack Nicklaus offers support of PGA Tour, Jay Monahan: 'This is good for the game of golf'
June 7, 2023 (after LIV-PGA Tour merger)
McIlroy says he still "hates" LIV Golf — but he's still consistent with being OK with where the money is coming from.
"All I've tried to do is protect what the PGA Tour is and the PGA Tour stands for, and I think it will continue to do that. So, look, going forward I hope that — there may be a team element, and you're going to see, maybe, maybe, maybe, whoever else play in some sort of team golf, but I don't think it'll look anything how LIV has looked. And I think that's a good thing."
