Rory McIlroy baffled by young guns who value LIV cash over competitive action

Rory McIlroy says he understands why older players are heading to the LIV Tour for a bumper pay day, but struggles to comprehend why rising talents would forfeit "years of their competitive career" by jumping ship.

The LIV Golf Series – funded by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund – is playing an eight-event schedule this year. Two tournaments are in the books, with the next one set for 29-31 July at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey.

Among the players to have bolted the PGA Tour for the LIV Golf Series are Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garica. They have been suspended by the PGA Tour.

The seismic shift in the landscape continues to cause great debate. McIlroy, speaking to BBC Sport at the JP McManus Pro-Am, took a measured view on developments, saying: "I think defection is a strong word. I understand why guys have went, especially the guys that are sort of in the latter stages of their career and if I was in their position, I'd serious have to think about doing the same thing.

"It's the younger guys to me that I find hard to understand because they're losing years of their competitive career for monetary reasons. We all make decisions for different purposes. That's fine. It's different to what I'd do.

"Is there resentment? I played in Ryder Cup teams with these guys. Is there a difference of opinion? Yes. There is a difference of opinion and I would have done things differently.

"I think at this stage if you go and play on a different tour, then go and play on a different tour. I think having your cake and eating is the resentment that's within the membership.

"Because there's only 48 players on this tour, so not everyone's going to get an opportunity to go and play. You're leaving all your