Rory McIlroy UNBOTHERED by LIV Golf rift as he names Sergio Garcia his ‘favorite player’

Four-time major champion Rory McIlroy named LIV Golf's Sergio Garcia as his favorite player to watch while growing up.

Rory McIlroy UNBOTHERED by LIV Golf rift as he names Sergio Garcia his ‘favorite player’

Rory McIlroy (L) and Sergio Garcia (R) [Image via Imago]

It seems that the proposed PGA Tour and LIV Golf merger deal has repaired some broken relationships. Ahead of the DP World Tour season finale in Dubai, Rory McIlroy has named Sergio Garcia as his “favorite player” to watch while growing up.

During the press conference, McIlroy spoke about 5-time major champion Seve Ballesteros and how his dad was a fan of the Spanish golfer. After that, the former World No.1 was asked if there were any other Spanish players who influenced him. This led to him dropping the name of Garcia.

YouTube video

The two golfers had a long-standing relationship with each other and even teamed up during the Ryder Cups. However, the announcement of LIV Golf and Sergio Garcia‘s move to it put a massive dent in their friendship.

FS Video

McIlroy would bash the Saudi-backed tournament several times. Garcia in his counter attack once called his former friend “immature.” The Northern Irish golfer now seems unbothered by the rift between the two tours and hailed the former Masters champion as one of his favorite heroes.

When Sergio was coming through… Especially in the PGA (Championship) in ’99 at Medinah running up the fairway, Sergio was my favorite player for a lot of years. Sergio definitely inspired me. Then when I got to playing on tour and getting to play on Ryder Cup teams and stuff with him, it was a dream come ‘true’ for me to play so closely and to partner with one of my favorite heroes growing up.

Rory McIlroy on Sergio Garcia said in the press conference

The two golfers patched their broken relationship last year at the U.S. Open. Recently, Garcia claimed that McIlroy understood the importance of the deal and how fighting with each other was not going to resolve the tensions.

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Rory McIlroy gives himself a ‘B’ grade for 2024 season following the U.S. Open failure

During the press conference on Wednesday, Rory McIlroy spoke about his 2024 season. The four-time major champion gave himself a ‘B’ grade following his heartbreaking loss at the U.S. Open in July.

Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy (Image via Imago)

In the final round, McIlroy found himself going head-to-head with Bryson DeChambeau. The PGA Tour star found himself with a one-stroke lead at one point.

However, two close-miss putts at the ending stages of the event turned the game around. DeChambeau would rally back and took home his second major title by finishing one-shot ahead of McIlroy.

Incredibly consistent again. I think I’ve been really proud of that over the last few years. But then at the same time, you know, thinking about the ones that got away. I could be sitting up here with a fifth major title, and I am not. So that stings… It would be a pass. It wouldn’t be a pass with flying colors. Probably a ‘B’.

Rory McIlroy said
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The 35-year-old won the Dubai Desert Classic, the Wells Fargo Championship, and the Zurich Classic of New Orleans alongside Shane Lowry this year. After narrowly missing out on adding the U.S. Open, he is now eyeing a historic sixth Race to Dubai title this weekend.