The Seven Juiciest Quotes From Rory McIlroy’s Press Conference: ‘I Still Hate LIV’

Rory did not hold back.

It has been a wild 24 hours in the golf world with the PGA Tour and LIV Golf joining forces in a move that stunned just about everyone, including PGA Tour players, on Tuesday. 

Emotions have been flowing since the news broke, including during a players meeting Tuesday afternoon with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, in which one player told Rory McIlroy to “f--- off’ in a tense moment. 

McIlroy, who is playing in the RBC Canadian Open this week, had a press conference Wednesday morning and offered his first words on the move and what he thinks this means for everyone involved. 

Let’s look at his juiciest quotes.

He shared his thoughts on LIV: 

Rory: "I still hate LIV. I hate them. I hope it goes away and expect that it does." Correcting everyone who conflates LIV and the PIF.

— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) June 7, 2023

He was open about his feelings after being the face of the PGA Tour during this battle: 

Rory: "It's hard for me not to sit up here and feel somewhat like a sacrificial lamb."

— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) June 7, 2023

He shared his feelings on Monahan and his job safety: 

Do you still have confidence in Jay Monahan as commissioner of the PGA Tour?

Rory [deeeeeep breath]: "I do ..."

— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) June 7, 2023

He spoke about where the money will now be coming from: 

Rory McIlroy: "The PIF was going to keep spending money in golf, whether you like it or not. At least the PGA Tour controls how that money is spent."

— Brentley Romine (@BrentleyGC) June 7, 2023

He thinks this is good for the game: 

Rory: "When I try to remove myself from the situation and I look at the bigger picture, I think ultimately this is going to be good for the game of professional golf. It unifies it and secures its future." pic.twitter.com/5lhUWbPZrK

— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) June 7, 2023

He's come to terms with it: 

Rory said he had "come to terms" with Saudi money in sports and golf, "I see what’s happened in other sports, I see what’s happened in other businesses. I’ve just resigned myself to it."

— Brendan Porath (@BrendanPorath) June 7, 2023

He shared what should happen to players who left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf: 

Rory on the players trying to hold on to their cards upset about the news: "It's hard for me to relate to those guys because I've never been in that position. I try to empathize."

— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) June 7, 2023