Golf is a lot extra enjoyable when the gamers are petty. From Ryder Cup shenanigans to guys getting pissed in regards to the tempo of play, the sport is infinitely extra entertaining when there’s a clearly outlined heel who followers can collectively hate. That’s why the previous year-plus of golf was nice tv.
Nevertheless, the upcoming (stalled-out?) merger of the Saudi Public Funding Fund and the PGA Tour is homogenizing the callousness of “businessmen” throughout the leaderboard. The newest fervently anti-LIV golfer to roll over was arguably essentially the most outsized voice in opposition to defectors: Rory McIlroy.
“I was maybe a little judgmental of the guys who went to LIV Golf at the start,” McIlroy said on Gary Neville’s podcast, The Overlap. “I think it was a bit of a mistake on my part because I now realize that not everyone is in my position or in Tiger Woods’ position.”
For these of us hoping McIlroy would maintain robust/keep petty, it’s a disappointment, however removed from a shock. When you see a supposed ally in Jon Rahm grow to be a $600-million bargaining chip it’s onerous responsible them — I suppose.
“I thought it was a smart business move from Jon – it’s opportunistic. I think he sees that things will come back together and he’s in a lucky position, McIlroy said. “There’s not one person that wouldn’t want him on our Ryder Cup team because of how good he is, so he was in a great position where there wasn’t a ton of risk involved for him to go. I’ve got no problem with him going if that’s what he wants to do and he thinks that’s the right decision for him and his family. Who am I to say any different at this point?”
Ah, sure, empathy for the professional athlete who can now feed his household for eight, or 9 generations, all from a capability to hit a ball. Name me a cynic (responsible), however may McIlroy merely be saving face as a result of he’s about to share a locker room with a litany of goons that he’s been (rightfully) skewering over the previous 16 months?
“I wouldn’t say I’ve lost the fight against LIV,” stated McIlroy. “But I’ve just accepted the fact that this is part of our sport now.”
It’s not a coincidence that acceptance is the ultimate grieving stage. Boy, I can’t watch for an onslaught of golf followers to paraphrase that speaking level from now till local weather change kills off all of the grass on Earth.
Of McIlroy’s myriad profound (profane?) utterances throughout his mea culpa, this subsequent one was my favourite.
“I’ve gone through the last two years with this altruistic approach where I’ve looked at the world the way I’ve wanted to see it. Ultimately, you can say what you want and do what you want, but at the end of the day, you’re not going to be able to change people’s minds. You’re never going to make them decide based on what you say.”
God dammit, if that’s not what I attempt to do actually daily at this job. What I do is on a far lesser scale, with so much much less publicity, for pennies in comparison with Rory, but to say that you simply’re not going to do what’s proper as a result of it doesn’t make a distinction is totally defeatist and a few crap a despot would proclaim.
Give in, quit, what’s the purpose? And, hey, blood cash “exposed the flaws in the system of golf” so it may well’t be all unhealthy, proper? You realize you’ve achieved one thing indefensible when Phil Mickelson defends you.
“This quote and the many others made today by Rory probably weren’t easy to say,” Mickelson tweeted Wednesday. “Let’s not use this as an opportunity to pile on. Rather, it’s time for me and others to let go of our hostilities and work toward a positive future.”
You realize what? Lefty is . . . nonetheless a whole moron. Sure, bask within the ever-growing financial institution accounts and sing Kumbaya whereas innocent journalists get cut to pieces and the ladies of Saudi Arabia dwell a life that’s centuries behind the remainder of the world’s feminine inhabitants.
Screw you, Rory.
