Rory McIlroy Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Did this LIV golfer reveal Rory McIlroy's stance on the merger with the PGA Tour?

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 7/31/23

Outside of saying that he "still hates LIV," Rory McIlroy has largely avoided the media since the proposed merger with the PGA Tour was announced in June. But his current stance on the ongoing rollercoaster in professional golf may have been revealed over the weekend by—someone from LIV Golf?

Enter Graeme McDowell. Former U.S. Open champion and fellow Irishman who has had a longstanding relationship with McIlroy.

In an interview with BBC Sport, McDowell revealed that he has remained friends with McIlroy and fellow countryman Shane Lowry—and that they even talked about the potential merger of the two golf circuits ahead of the Open Championship this month.

"It was great to see them and we're all positive about hopefully where the game of golf is going to go because I don't think anyone wanted the last 15 months of negativity," McDowell said.

“I still hate LIV” Rory McIlroy did not hold back on LIV Golf while explaining that the merger could ultimately be good for golf. pic.twitter.com/Wf0q5mrFqc
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) June 7, 2023

But that wasn't all. McDowell added he thinks that professional golf is moving in the right direction now that the merger is possible.

"There's so many unknowns and speculation at this point but I'm just focused on the fact that I think the game is moving back in the right direction again and we all need to focus on where we are at in sport, like I say the eyeballs that this has brought to the sport and hopefully we can benefit from that going forward," McDowell said.

"I always hoped and prayed for the future that we would get some kind of agreement together and I'd be able to play some events in the European tour at some point."

It isn't clear if McIlroy is as positive as McDowell appears to be—especially when it comes to the proposed merger moving the game in the right direction. But it is refreshing to hear that the four-time major winner is brokering peace and hanging onto friendships even as the golf world endures so much ugliness.

Due to scheduling conflicts, it doesn't look like McIlroy and McDowell will be seeing each other on the links anytime soon. However, fans can watch McDowell compete at the LIV Golf Greenbrier event on Aug. 4, and McIlroy when he tees off at the FedEx St. Jude Championship on Aug. 10.

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