Rory McIlroy on facing LIV golfers at BMW PGA Championship: 'It's going to be hard for me to stomach'

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Rory McIlroy won the FedEx Cup playoffs for the third time on Sunday after an incredible comeback in the final round of the Tour Championship, but just after claiming his $18 million prize, the 22-time PGA Tour winner took the opportunity to dig at his competitors in the LIV Golf circuit – 18 of whom he will soon face at the BMW PGA Championship next month. 

McIlroy, 33, came back from six shots behind to defeat Scottie Scheffler, who never trailed all week until the 70th hole, and, naturally was feeling good from his victory. That's when McIlroy took a subtle dig at the many LIV Golf defectors. 

Rory McIlroy reacts to his birdie on the seventh green during the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club on Aug. 28, 2022, in Atlanta. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

"On the 70th hole is a nice time to take the lead of a golf tournament,’’ he said, via Sports Illustrated. "Or the 52nd hole if you play somewhere else.’’

LIV GOLF JOINS ANTITRUST LAWSUIT AGAINST PGA TOUR, TWO MORE GOLFERS DROP OUT

Tensions will surely reach a boiling point next month when McIlroy and other top ranked players on the PGA Tour face some of those same players at the BMW PGA Championship – as the DP World Tour has dealt with LIV Golf differently than the Tour. 

McIlroy made his feelings on the subject clear – he’s not looking forward to it. 

Rory McIlroy waits to hit at the PGA Championship, May 19, 2022, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

"If you believe in something I think you have to speak up, and I believe very strongly about this. I really do,’’ he said Sunday. "I hate what it's doing to the game of golf. I hate