McIlroy: I don't want Norman telling me what to do! | 'Mickelson shouldn't be shut out'

Rory McIlroy admits he understands why some players would be tempted by the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series and believes Phil Mickelson will be welcomed back into the golfing world.

The PGA Tour rejected requests from players for approval to play in the inaugural event, taking place from June 9-11 in England at Centurion Club, explaining that the decision is in the "best interests of the Tour and the players".

Mickelson, Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood were among the players who had requested a release to compete in the rival event, which clashes with the RBC Canadian Open on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour's Scandinavian Mixed.

McIlroy said in February that he felt the proposed breakaway league was "dead in the water" after several high-profile players pledged their allegiance to the PGA Tour, although the former world No 1 admits he has since softened his stance on the issue.

"If you're getting to the latter end of your career, and you've got no guarantee of playing on the PGA Tour next year - it's hard to keep your card out here - and all of a sudden people are giving you the guarantee for the next three or four years of somewhere to play, to make some money, to basically have a job, I completely understand that," McIlroy told Sky Sports News.

"Yes, people are going to have an issue with who is financing it and all that kind of stuff, but at the end of the day they [Saudis] are in a lot of things and unfortunately, whatever way you want to think of it, it's the way of the world and that's not going to change.

"They've got a lot of money, they're going to be in a lot of things and that's just way it is. I certainly don't want to stand in the way of anyone from making more money.

"The like of some of those