Rory McIlroy in scathing LIV Golf swipe as he insists on RETIRING before accepting controversial plans

Rory McIlroy reckons he would pack it in if playing for LIV Golf was the last option to continue doing what he loves.

The former world number one got underway at the Scottish Open as he looks to end a nine-year drought at major tournaments ahead of The Open Championship next week at Royal Liverpool, where he won in 2014. But the shadow of the LIV Golf dealings with PGA Tour are casting a cloud over proceedings at the Renaissance Club, something that the Northern Irishman has addressed for the first time after being quizzed on the ongoings that previously made him feel like “a sacrificial lamb."

The findings from a US Senate investigation reckoned that the Saudi-backed tour wanted to make him a team captain and that he and Tiger Woods would own the franchises on the rebel tour. But McIlroy, who starting on the back nine at the Scottish Open two-putted for birdie on the par-five 10th and then holed from 20 feet for another on the short 12th, was quick to shut down any talk about him being involved in the breakaway series.

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He said: “If LIV Golf was the last place on Earth to play golf, I would retire. That’s how I feel about it. I'd play the majors, but I'd be pretty comfortable."

On his bright start in North Berwick, he added: “It’s a really good start. I’ve not had particularly great results around this course the last couple of times but feel like my game is definitely in better shape now.

"There’s still a few things I can feel like I can improve on but, at the end of the day, it’s a great start and I would have taken it before the start of the day. I feel like I’ve got my eye in pretty well.”

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