Former PGA Tour professional Brandel Chamblee suggested a wild theory as to how the Rory McIlroy to LIV Golf rumours came about.
McIlroy was forced to deny rumours that he was on the verge of joining the Saudi Arabia-funded breakaway tour.
City AM claimed the four-time major champion would be paid £680million to perform a dramatic U-turn and join LIV.
McIlroy has been vocal in his opposition and criticism of the Saudi-backed tour and vehemently denied this report.
“I honestly don’t know how these things get started,” McIlroy said in an interview with Golf Channel.
“I’ve never been offered a number from LIV and I’ve never contemplated going to LIV.
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“I think I’ve made it clear over the past two years that I don’t think it’s something for me.
“Doesn’t mean that I judge people that went and played over there, I think one of the things that I’ve realised over the past two years is people can make their own decisions for whatever they think is best for themselves and who are we to judge them for that?
“But personally for me my future is here on the PGA Tour and it’s never been any different.”
Asked if he knew where the rumour had originated, McIlroy said: “No, no idea.”
Former professional Chamblee suggested on X, formerly Twitter, that the rumours were in fact started by LIV following the poor performance from their players at The Masters.
Responding to the rumours, he wrote: “I have no doubt that this rumour was started by Saudis/LIV… to benefit Saudis/LIV after such a poor showing, as a group, at The Masters.
“I’d be very surprised if this turns out to be true.”
When questioned about that poor showing, he added: “You think they paid $3billion for a few top tens and to be +82 as a group at major?
“A senior citizen beat some of their ‘stars’ and almost all the games of LIV players have deteriorated since they sold their souls to the Saudis who only bought a moment in time… nothing else.”
Bryson De Chambeau and Cam Smith fared the best, finishing tied sixth on two-under-par.
Tyrrell Hatton was tied ninth on even par, while Patrick Reed was tied 12th on one over.
Phil Mickelson was 43rd on eight-over-par, while Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka were both nine-over in tied 45th.
LIV also had Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson and Bubba Watson all miss the cut at Augusta.
News Summary:
- Former PGA Tour pro suggests wild theory about how Rory McIlroy to LIV Golf rumours started
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