McIlroy calls for golf reset after LIV’s ‘false economy’

Rory McIlroy called for a reset in men’s professional golf, saying LIV Golf’s spending had created what he described as a “false economy” and arguing that tours need more sustainable business practices. He spoke before the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship, where he said recent years would be seen as a strange period for the sport. McIlroy said LIV’s arrival had given players greater leverage over tours and turned professional golf into an arms race. While acknowledging that higher spending benefited players, he argued that continuing to compete through escalating investment was not sustainable over the long term. In his view, a reset would help ensure men’s professional tours could remain viable in the decades ahead. The Northern Irish golfer also backed DP World Tour chief executive Guy Kinnings’s account that LIV officials had spoken about wanting to destroy the European Tour. McIlroy said the remarks were made at Augusta during this year’s Masters. That account remains an allegation relayed by McIlroy and Kinnings; the supplied reporting does not include a direct response from the LIV officials concerned. McIlroy further said LIV’s investment had drawn players and sponsors away...