LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Rory McIlroy was the first player to officially oppose the Saudi-backed super league and support the PGA Tour, so he was there when the threat of a rival circuit faded.
Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson confirmed earlier on Sunday that they would stay on the PGA Tour, putting an end to months of speculation that both stars were headed for the super league. McIlroy was asked about the implications of the two declarations of support for the Tour after his final round at the Genesis Invitational.
“I don’t think it’s shocking, given everything that’s happened in the previous few days,” McIlroy said. “I’m delighted DJ and Bryson came out with those sentiments this week. We all want to play against the top players in the world, and they’re obviously two of the best, so it’s nice to know they’re committed to coming here and making this the best tour in the world.”
“Yeah, who’s left?” McIlroy was asked if DeChambeau and Johnson’s decision would spell the end of the super league concept. Who’s the last one to leave? There’s no one, after all. “In my perspective, it’s dead in the water,” he remarked. “I just don’t see why anyone would want to go.”
Jordan Spieth was relieved — and startled – by the news on Sunday.
“I don’t know who they’re getting to fill it out and make it worth it,” Spieth said, referring to how many of the top 10 to 50 players in the world have now openly committed to the PGA Tour, including those guys [DeChambeau and Johnson]. “The stories about Bryson’s offer astonished me, because we all know he was seriously contemplating it.”
