Koepka (left) and McIlroy had a friendly rivalry when fighting for majors
Rory McIlroy called the players joining LIV Golf “quite duplicitous”, as Brooks Koepka became the last to move to the new series, backed by Saudi Arabia.
Four-time grand champion Koepka joins compatriots Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambo in the new series of eight events worth $ 250 million (£ 200 million).
McIlroy, a staunch defender of the PGA Tour, said he did not expect the former world number one to move to LIV Golf.
“Am I surprised?” Yes, because of what you said earlier, “he said.
“I think that’s why I’m surprised by a lot of these guys, because they say one thing and then do another, and I don’t understand.
“I don’t know if it’s for legal reasons – I have no idea – but it’s pretty hypocritical of them to say one thing and then do another. Publicly and privately.”
Speaking at the US Open last week, where he finished 55th after a bad weekend, Koepka complained that questions about the LIV Golf series were throwing a “black cloud” over the major.
Meanwhile, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan described LIV Golf as not a “healthy competition”.
“As I told the players [on Tuesday], to be clear, I’m not naive. “If it’s an arms race, and if the only weapons here are the dollar bills, the PGA Tour can’t compete with a foreign monarchy that spends billions of dollars trying to buy the game of golf,” Monahan said.
“We welcome good, healthy competition. This is not the LIV Saudi Golf League. It is an irrational threat that does not address the return on investment or the real growth of the game.”
Koepka has already retired from Thursday’s PGA Tour event, the Travelers Championship, and has been described as an “amazing” addition to the LIV Golf series by CEO Greg Norman.
“The addition of Brooks is another example of the incredible fields that LIV Golf assembles as we gain momentum in our first season and look to the future,” said Norman.
The American is expected to play in his first LIV event of the second tournament with 54 holes and 48 people, which will be held from June 30 to July 2 in Portland, Oregon.
He will join his brother Chase in the series, and on Tuesday it was announced that 31-year-old Mexican Abraham Anser, the 20th number in the world, has also signed up to play in the LIV Golf series.
Koepka, now number 19 in the world, won the U.S. Open in 2017 and 2018 and is also a two-time U.S. PGA champion, vying for the Wanamaker Trophy in 2018 and 2019.
Norman added of Koepka: “There is no underestimating the impact that Brooks Koepka has had on golf over the past five years. He holds a champion pedigree and a record for success as one of the most elite players in the world.
The PGA tour stopped 17 members who took part in the first Centurion Club tournament earlier in June, which was won by Charles Schwarzel, and Koepka is likely to receive the same treatment.
The organization said in a statement: “Players have been notified that they have been suspended or otherwise no longer eligible to participate in the PGA Tour, including the Presidents Cup.
“Players have not received the necessary conflicting announcements about events and media rights – or have not applied for a release at all – and their participation is in violation of our Tournament Rules. The same fate applies to all other players participating in future Saudi golf league events. “
It was also announced on Wednesday that LIV players will be eligible to compete in the 150th Open Championship in July. The US Open also allowed LIV golfers to participate.
Add Comment