Rory McIlroy is the PGA Tour’s biggest star, so it was interesting to hear him discuss Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed’s decisions to leave LIV Golf.
McIlroy has been one of LIV Golf‘s most outspoken critics throughout the years.
The 36-year-old Northern Irishman remained loyal to the PGA Tour when some of the game’s biggest names jumped ship to LIV in 2022 and 2023.
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Koepka and Reed were two of those names but after three-and-a-half years with the Saudi-backed outfit, they have decided that the PGA Tour is really where they want to compete.
Reed stunned the golfing world when he left LIV Golf two weeks ago after he revealed he was out of contract with the PIF-backed league.
It came just one month after Brooks Koepka announced he’d be returning to the PGA Tour after parting ways with LIV.
Koepka is already back on the PGA Tour, while Reed will have to wait until August before he can be officially reinstated as a member.
The majority of golf fans are hugely excited to see the two Americans return to the PGA Tour after their stints with LIV, but will they actually make the Tour stronger?
Rory McIlroy says if Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed will make the PGA Tour stronger
McIlroy never minces his words when it comes to giving his opinions on the current state of the professional game.
So there couldn’t have been a better player to ask about Koepka and Reed.
McIlroy addressed the media during his press conference ahead of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am this week.
And the 36-year-old responded when asked how he honestly feels about Koepka and Reed returning to the PGA Tour.
“It certainly I think swung the pendulum a little more in the PGA TOUR’s favor,“ McIlroy suggested.
“The sentiment has definitely changed from, say, 18 months ago. You’re going to see guys are going to get to the end of their contracts and whether they’re going to get the money that they were paid the first time around remains to be seen.
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“But like I’ve said before, I think everything that’s happened over the last few years, it forced the Tour to think about things differently. Create these Signature Events, but then rethink the entire schedule and what’s going to happen in 2027 and beyond.
“I think the guys over there are maybe seeing that and it might entice them a little bit more. So yeah, I think Brooks coming back, one of the best players of our generation, five-time major champion, that’s a big deal.
“Patrick earning his way back through really good play over on the DP World Tour, that’s great for him.
“I’m all for anything that makes the PGA TOUR stronger and those two guys coming back make the PGA TOUR stronger.“
Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed set for awkward PGA Tour reunion
While McIlroy has insisted that Reed returning will be a good thing for the PGA Tour, he has clearly never seen eye-to-eye with the American.
The two players had a highly publicized fall-out back in 2023 in Dubai.
Reed explained the situation after an incident occurred on the driving range.
“Because of the relationship I’ve had with Rory – let’s be honest, we’ve had some great battles at Augusta and other tournaments and our friendship has been pretty good up until obviously joining LIV – I walked over there and wished Harry (Diamond) Happy New Year and then Rory because it is the first time I have seen them,“ he said.
“Harry shook my hand and Rory just looked down there and was messing with his Trackman and kind of decided to ignore us.
“We all know where it came from, being part of LIV. Since my tees are Team Aces LIV tees I flicked him one. It was kind of a funny shot back. Funny how a small little flick has turned into basically me stabbing him and throwing a tee at him.
“He saw me and he decided not to react. But it is one of those things. If you’re going to act like an immature little child then you might as well be treated like one.“
Reed certainly didn’t hold back there, did he? However, McIlroy fired back with his side of the story.
“Patrick came up to say hello and I didn’t really want him to,“ McIlroy said.
“I was subpoenaed by his lawyer on Christmas Eve. So of course, trying to have a nice time with my family and someone shows up on your doorstep and delivers that, you’re not going to take that well.
“So again, I’m living in reality, I don’t know where he’s living. If I were in his shoes, I wouldn’t expect a hello or a handshake.”
A more than fair response from the five-time major champion.
When Reed returns to the PGA Tour later this year, there could be fireworks the first time he is paired with McIlroy again.
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