Rory McIlroy warns golf going 'same way as boxing' as John Rahm LIV defection has star fearing the worst

Worried Rory McIlroy reckons golf is eating itself alive after the seismic defection of Jon Rahm to LIV.

The Masters champion has become the biggest name to join the Saudi-backed breakaway league in a stunning $600m deal. The Ulsterman called for an end to the “cannibalising” of golf after the move which has stunned the game The Spanish world No.3 also risks missing out on the next European Ryder Cup team but team-mate McIlroy insist the rules must change to allow him to play.

McIlroy has been a vocal critic of LIV but admitted he felt like a “sacrifical lamb” after the June 6 framework agreement. That set a December 31 deadline for a deal to be struck between the Saudi Public Investment Fund and the PGA and DP World Tours. And world No.2 McIroy warned a compromise needs to be reached or only the Majors will be worth watching.

“We need to get everyone back together and try to forget about what has happened in the past,” said the world No.2. “Let bygones be bygones and we all move forward together - I think that’s what’s going to be the best thing for the professional game.

“My fear is that we continue down this path where we have competing tours and it divides the eyeballs that are on the game. Some people like LIV, the majority of people like the PGA Tour, but if LIV start to take a few players each and every year it’s really going to be divided and that’s no good for anyone.

“You’re basically cannibalising yourself as a sport, the same as what boxing has done with all the different organisations and a few other sports have as well. To me, having all the best golfers under the one umbrella is the best way forward because I think that’s really what the public wants.

“The majors are already so big, but my fear is that if