Rory McIlroy reveals mindset after shocking pro golf merger: 'PGA Tour has controls over everything'

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Since its inception, Rory McIlroy has condemned the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour. Now that the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has merged with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, he's trying to look on the bright side of the surprise merger. 

McIlroy spoke to reporters ahead of the RBC Canadian Open on Wednesday for the first time since the merger was announced on Tuesday morning. He said that Jimmy Dunne, the Independent Director of the PGA Tour's board, ran down the deal with him at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning, so he was just as surprised as the rest of us when the news broke. 

After contemplation, McIlroy admits there's some "mixed emotions" because everything is so fresh and there's still much that needs to be ironed out to the players and fans regarding the landmark deal. 

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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland takes part in the Pro-Am of the RBC Canadian Open at Oakdale Golf and Country Club on June 07, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

However, he is confident this will be good for the future of golf. And that's because LIV Golf, in his eyes, won't be a thing anymore. 

"The one thing I think was really misconstrued yesterday was all the headlines were PGA Tour merges with LIV," he explained, via Sky Sports News. "LIV’s got nothing to do with this. The PGA Tour, DP World Tour and the Public Investment Fund are basically partnering to create a new company. I think that’s where I was a little frustrated because all I’ve wanted to do and all I’ve wanted in the past year from basically this tournament is to protect the future of the PGA Tour and protect the