LOS ANGELES, Calif. — After a difficult week that began with Phil Mickelson’s shocking comments about the Super Golf League, Rory McIlroy declared the rival tour “dead in the water” on Sunday.
When Mickelson declared earlier this week that he was ready to ignore the Saudi Arabian government’s numerous human-rights breaches in order to obtain leverage on the PGA Tour, he received a lot of backlash.
The interview, which took place in November with golf writer and author Alan Shipnuck, seemed to inspire many of the top players to express their support for the PGA Tour, with Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson announcing on Sunday that they would not join a rival league, putting an end to months of speculation.
After his round on Sunday, McIlroy was asked what he thought of Mickelson’s controversial statements. McIlroy, who was the first superstar to reject the Saudis in spring 2019, was asked what he thought of Mickelson’s inflammatory comments.
“Obviously, I don’t want to kick someone while they’re down,” he explained, “but I thought they were naive, selfish, narcissistic, and dumb.”
“It was both unexpected and disheartening.” Sad. I’m sure he’s at home, considering his position and where he wants to go next.
“Mickelson has made no public statements since the story was released by the Fire Pit Collective, and it was uncertain whether he would return to the PGA Tour.
