Not all of the finger-pointing was aimed at PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan in Tuesday’s players meeting.
During the heated session, which came hours after the bombshell revelation of a merger between the PGA Tour and its rival LIV Golf, the Tour’s Rory McIlroy told fellow PGA pro Grayson Murray to “play better,” according to reports.
Tour golfer Wesley Bryan confirmed the exchange on Twitter and provided further insight into the aftermath.
“They were cordial and pleasant post meeting. We chatted as a group of players and we were laughing about the comment. No beef or hard feelings either way,” Bryan wrote Tuesday evening.
Much of the details from the meeting were first reported Tuesday by Golf Channel, with two sources alleging to the outlet that Murray, currently ranked 227th in the world, told McIlroy to “f–k off” in response to the latter’s comment.
Rory McIlroy during the Memorial Tournament on June 4, 2023.PGA TOURAs that alleged account began to circulate online, Bryan appeared to dismiss it, tweeting Wednesday morning, “Yep, not even close to how it went down.”
McIlroy, who has spoken critically of LIV and previously called for a tour truce, addressed the recent developments for the first time publicly on Wednesday.
“I learned about it pretty much at the same time everyone else did,” the Northern Irishman said at a press conference before this week’s Canadian Open in Toronto.
Grayson Murray watches his tee shot during the UNC Health Championship on June 1, 2023.Getty ImagesThe deal, which will also include the DP World Tour becoming one entity with the PGA Tour and LIV, came as a “surprise” to McIlroy.
“I knew there had been discussions going on in the background, I knew that lines of communication had been opened up. I obviously didn’t expect it to happen as quickly as it did… I think ultimately when I try to remove myself from the situation, and I look at the bigger picture and I look at ten years down the line, I think ultimately this is going to be, it’s going to be good for the game of professional golf, it unifies it and it secures its financial future,” he said.
Rory McIlroy speaks at a press conference before the RBC Canadian Open on June 7, 2023.Getty ImagesFollow The Post’s coverage of the PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger
That said, however, McIlroy is still digesting the news.
“It is hard for me not to feel like a sacrificial lamb,” he said. “I put myself out there.”
McIlroy is rumored to have turned down a nine-figure offer to join LIV as he remained loyal to the PGA Tour.
