Rory McIlroy admits 'mistake' over LIV golf stance as he confesses 'I was too judgemental' of breakaway stars

Rory McIlroy admits he was too judgemental of the high-profile golfers who broke away to join LIV.

The controversial Saudi-backed tour is currently in talks to merge with the PGA and McIlroy has been one of LIV's most vocal and high-profile critics. He initially took a firm stance against the breakaway tour, which recently added Masters champion Jon Rahm to a packed roster which includes Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio Garcia and Phil Mickelson. And McIlroy, who has firmly opposed it in the past alongside Tiger Woods, admits his initial hardline stance was wide of the mark....even if he's not giving up the 'fight' yet.

He told Sky Bet’s Stick to Football podcast: “I think at this point, I was maybe a little judgemental of the guys who went to LIV Golf at the start. I think it was a bit of a mistake on my part because I now realise that not everyone is in my position or in Tiger Woods' position. I can’t judge people for making that decision, so if I regret anything, it was probably being too judgemental at the start.

“I wouldn’t say I’ve lost the fight against LIV, but I’ve just accepted the fact that this is part of our sport now. At the end of the day, we’re professional golfers and we play to make a living and make money, so I understand it.”

“I don’t begrudge anyone for going and taking the money and doing something different, but don’t try to burn the place down on your way out. When people have played that for 15 or 20 years, and then they jump to LIV and start talking crap about where they’ve come from, that is what bothers me, because they wouldn’t be in this position if they didn’t have the career they’ve had so far.

“I think what LIV has done… it’s exposed some of the flaws in the system and hopefully golf will have a