REVEALED! Rory McIlroy shows what Sergio Garcia sent him about LIV Golf at the US Open, following interview with Irish Independent.
McIlroy has revealed he woke up to a text message from Sergio Garcia telling him to “shut up about LIV Golf” during the 2022 US Open, following an interview with Irish Independent.
McIlroy, 33, and Garcia, 42, have been close friends down the years following their careers on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and of course together at the Ryder Cup.
The World No.1 was even a groomsman at Garcia’s wedding in 2017. Garcia also attended McIlroy’s wedding in the same year.
But their relationship has rapidly deteriorated this year as a result of Garcia joining LIV Golf.
McIlroy reportedly said he was not aware that Garcia was joining the Saudi-bankrolled circuit until he said to him on the practice range at the Wells Fargo Championship in May that he had a new plane and could offer him a ride to the first LIV Golf event at Centurion Club in England.
Many of you will remember that was also the week of Garcia’s famous rant to an official about him wanting to leave the PGA Tour.
Garcia went to LIV Golf, and of course McIlroy turned down a huge offer from LIV to remain on the PGA Tour.
McIlroy is now the lead ambassador for all things PGA Tour in their fight against LIV Golf.
Earlier this week, McIlroy and Woods hosted another emergency meeting ahead of the new LIV Golf League starting up in 2023.
Garcia also launched a blistering attack on his former European Ryder Cup teammates.
McIlroy, who describes his golfing idols as Tiger Woods and also Garcia, explained to Irish Independent how he woke up to a text message from the Spaniard on the Friday of this year’s US Open telling him to “shut up about LIV”.
The US Open fell a week after McIlroy had won the Canadian Open, and fired shots at LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman.
McIlroy told Irish Independent:
“He was basically telling me to shut up about LIV, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.”
McIlroy added:
“I was pretty offended and sent him back a couple of daggers and that was it.”
It’s probably fair to say there will not be any Christmas cards exchanged between McIlroy and Garcia this month.
McIlroy also told the publication this week how he wanted to be “as much of a pain in the a**e” of Norman as possible.
Article originally appeared on: Golfmagic.com
LIV is either going to make pro golf better or kill it, I haven’t figured out which quite yet. The bickering between friends reminds me of voting for Donald Trump against anyone else. I did and lost at least four friends because of it. Being petty, these people can’t seem to separate sports and/or politics from friendship. Just because you disagree on something, doesn’t mean you stop being friends. I’ve met Sergio Garcia during the many tournaments at La Costa I volunteered for. He was always a bit of a prim-a-donna. But this has become stupid. You can both play in different leagues and still be friends. As for Greg Norman. He use to be my favorite golfer. I’ve watched him over the decades. Just wish his manners were as good as his game use to be.