The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass has now returned, but a host of social media stars were allowed to play the course before the PGA Tour men took over.
Rick Shiels took on TPC Sawgrass before joining LIV Golf, with their new recruit not in the field for Wednesday’s Creator Classic at TPC Sawgrass.
Grant Horvat won the Creator Classic ahead of the Players Championship, which represented the series’ second tournament.
A total of 10 golf content creators took on holes 10 through 17 in Florida, followed by a playoff at the iconic island green 17th.
Horvat clinched success with a 15-foot birdie on the first playoff hole, edging out No Laying Up’s Chris Solomon and Bryan Bros Golf’s George Bryan IV.
Grant Horvat dedicates Creator Classic win at TPC Sawgrass to Rory McIlroy
And the winner was quick to reference PGA Tour star Rory McIlroy in his celebrations, commenting on the PGA Tour’s Instagram with the words: “This one is for Rory.”
Horvat’s message comes after McIlroy made his thoughts on YouTube golfers clear, having been asked in his opening Players press conference if he pays attention to that thriving scene.
“Not really,” he replied. “I’m not of that generation. I’d much rather watch pure competitive… I’d much rather watch this golf tournament on Saturday and Sunday than watch YouTube golf. I’m happy for the people that enjoy it, but I enjoy something else.”
The Northern Irishman has, however, since made his own jokey comment, sharing a video of a TaylorMade Golf challenge on his Instagram story with the words: “Does this technically make me a YouTube golfer?”
Rory McIlroy jokingly told to bite his tongue by Bob Does Sports after Creator Classic
The event, which was the first of three in the season-long series, comes after the inaugural Creator Classic at East Lake Golf Club.
The tournament last August generated over 2.7 million views on YouTube, and was the platform’s number two trending video upon conclusion, with Luke Kwon triumphing.
And its latest champion Horvat certainly wasn’t the only social media icon to have taken exception to McIlroy’s viewpoint, with Robby Berger also sharing his verdict.
The host of Bob Does Sports, Berger took to X with a message for the four-time major winner, saying: “You don’t think that YouTube is competitive enough Rory?
“Try being the first out of 10 in a 10-man scramble. A lot of responsibility to show the nine guys behind me whether that putt’s going to break right to left, or left to right.
“You bite your tongue McIlroy. Try being eight fireball shots deep trying to hit a 45-footer while the whole world of YouTube is relying on you, even though you know deep in your soul every single person watching that video knows damn well I ain’t making it.
“I had to watch my co-worker, Fat Perez, be eight Boston Cream doughnuts deep, trying to attack a flag stick from 175 yards out, that could barely make it to his backside, had to swing it like [Tony] Finau in order just to get through the ball.
“Sorry Perez but that was a tough day. You bite your tongue McIlroy. Now with that being said, I would sell my soul to have you on the channel.
“I would do some crazy things, you would be great for viewership. So I’m upset now, but anytime you want to come on Rory we would love to have you.”
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