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‘First time in my life that I have felt betrayal’ – McIlroy opens up on ex-Ryder Cup teammates moving to LIV

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Several members of past European Ryder Cup teams have left to join LIV Golf.

Rory McIlroy, who’s just once again become the number one golfer in the world, has said that he feels “betrayed” by the departure of his former teammates.

In an interview with the Guardian, the 33-year-old spoke out against the players he used to have a strong bond with.

“It’s a weird thing. I think it is the first time in my life that I have felt betrayal in a way. It’s an unfamiliar feeling to me. You build bonds with these people through Ryder Cups and other things.

Them knowing that what they are about to do is going to jeopardize them from being a part of that ever again?”

Many of the former European Ryder Cup players such as Graeme McDowell, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter would have had a chance to be future Ryder Cup captains.

Stenson gave up his captaincy this year to join LIV. Garcia has more Ryder Cup victories than any European player in history and was a surefire future captain. McDowell would have been a great candidate for captaincy in Ireland in 2027. Poulter and Westwood would undoubtedly be considered in the future as well due to their Ryder Cup history.

The fact that these European golf stars gave up on future Ryder Cup glory didn’t sit right with McIlroy.

‘There was a great opportunity for GMac (Graeme McDowell) to maybe be the captain at Adare in 2027. Most of Sergio’s legacy is Ryder Cup-based, same with Poulter and Westwood. I would like to think the Ryder Cup means as much to them as it does to me. Maybe it does. But knowing what the consequences could be, I just could never make that decision.”

“OK, it might not be 100% certain but that it could be the outcome? It just isn’t a move I would be willing to make. I thought they felt the same way.”

Back in June, Golf Monthly reported that the relationship between McIllroy had grown “bitter and personal” over Garcia’s decision to join LIV Golf.

The pair were once a legendary Ryder Cup tandem, and McIlroy even served as an usher in Garcia’s wedding.

Garcia isn’t the only European player who no longer has a personal relationship with McIlroy after the LIV fallout.

Last month, Rory said to Sportsmail: “I wouldn’t say I’ve got much of a relationship with them at the minute. But if you’re talking about Ryder Cup, that’s not the future of the Ryder Cup team.”

‘The future of the Ryder Cup is the Højgaards (Danish twins Rasmus and Nicolai), Bobby Mac (Robert MacIntyre), whoever else is coming up. Like they are the future of The Ryder Cup Team. That’s what we should be like thinking about and talking about.”

The upcoming year will undoubtedly bring more uncertainty to the golf landscape, but one thing remains clear: Rory McIlroy is fully committed to the PGA Tour and will continue to be outspoken in his opposition against everything LIV Golf.

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19th Hole

Phil Mickelson drops big retirement hint; Says LIV will grow the game ‘on a much more global basis’

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While speaking with Bloomberg, golf legend Phil Mickelson acknowledged that he is inching close towards retirement.

“I’m 53 now,” Phil said, “and my career, you know, it’s — if I’m being truthful, it’s on — it’s — it’s — I’m a — it’s towards its end.”

Mickelson added that one of his focuses now is helping other young players.

“Now, I would like to help others find the same enjoyment and fulfillment that the game has provided me. I’d like them to experience that as well.”

The six-time major champion credited LIV with reaching new markets in golf to help it grow.

“I think that’s exciting for everyone involved in the game because we are going to reach markets that we didn’t reach before. I think it’s going to inspire more golf courses, inspire more manufacturers selling clubs and equipment, but also inspiring young kids to try to play golf professionally. I just see that the game of golf is going to grow on a much more global basis because of the excitement and the presence that LIV Golf has.”

Mickelson is playing at this week’s LIV Singapore and shot a first round 72 (+1).

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Tiger explains why golf has ‘negative connotations’ for daughter Sam

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While Tiger Woods’ son, Charlie, has certainly inherited his father’s love for golf, his daughter, Sam, has not.

On Wednesday, Tiger made an appearance on The Today Show with Carson Daly and explained his daughter’s relationship with golf.

“Golf has negative connotations for her. When she was growing up, golf took daddy away from her. I had to pack, I had to leave, and I was gone for weeks. So, there were negative connotations to it.

“We developed our own relationship and our own rapport outside of golf. We do things that doesn’t involve golf. Meanwhile, my son and I, everything we do is golf related.”

The nine-minute interview touches on plenty of other subjects, such as Tiger’s relationship with his late father, Earl.

It’s arguably the most open we’ve seen the 15-time major champion in an interview and is most definitely worth watching.

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Gary Player claims this is what ‘completely ruined’ Tiger Woods’ career

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While speaking with KW Golf, golf legend Gary Player said that he believes swing coaches ruined the career of Tiger Woods.

“The US Open at Pebble Beach, he won by 15 shots. You know what that’s like? It’s like running the 100 meters in seven seconds. The next week, he’s having a lesson from a man who, I don’t think, if he played in the Masters, could break 80.”

“And then he goes to another guy who couldn’t probably break 85 in the Masters with the pressure, or the British Open or the PGA on the final day. And he’s having lessons from them.”

“Why did Tiger do that? He was so good, but I understand he wanted to get better,” Player went on. “If he had just gone along and never changed, he would have won at least 22.. He would’ve gone down as the greatest athlete the world has ever seen.”

In 2008, Woods had won 14 majors and was 33 years old. It would take him eleven years to win his 15th at the 2019 Masters.

In addition to the swing coach issue, there are many other issues throughout the career of Woods that golf fans will look back on and wonder “what if.”

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