One of the most vocal critics of LIV Golf’s breakaway league, Rory McIlroy felt drained late last year and decided to leave his clubs for a few weeks.
“It’s been nice,” said the top-ranked McIlroy, “to try to take a little time off and kind of get away from the game of golf.”
Now she is back and looks as fiery as ever.
McIlroy was driving at the Dubai Desert Classic on Tuesday when he was approached by Patrick Reed, one of the top players to join the Saudi-backed series that will change the face of golf in 2022.
McIlroy said he was busy practicing and didn’t feel the need to recognize Reed.
“Patrick came over to say hi, and I really didn’t want him to say that,” McIlroy said Wednesday.
McIlroy was asked about the rumors that the American threw a metal plate at him. The four-time major winner said he couldn’t see or feel anything.
“But apparently it did,” McIlroy said. “And if the roles were reversed and I threw that mantle at him, I would expect him to (file a lawsuit).”
That was the slur from McIlroy, who said Reed’s lawyers had received a subpoena on Christmas Eve. He did not provide specifics about the lawsuit, but Reed filed a defamation lawsuit again last month.
It’s clear that McIlroy is in no mood for reconciliation in Dubai.
“Obviously, trying to have a good time with my family and have someone show up at your door and take it, you’re not going to take it that well,” McIlroy said.
“So again I’m living in reality, I don’t know where he lives. If I were in his place, I wouldn’t expect a hello or a handshake.”
The Associated Press contacted Reed about McIlroy’s comments about their interaction on Tuesday.
McIlroy was later asked if it would be beneficial to “fix your relationship” with another LIV rebel, Sergio Garcia, if it would help Europe’s cause ahead of this year’s Ryder Cup.
“No,” was the gruff reply from the Northern Irishman.
McIlroy’s de facto anti-LIV didn’t stop him from returning to the top of the world rankings late last year.
His last competitive tournament was the World Tour Championship, also in Dubai, in November.
McIlroy said the break had given him a chance to “recharge and reset and try to start 2023 with renewed optimism” and he returned to the Middle East with some unfinished business.
At last year’s Dubai Desert Classic, McIlroy shared the lead after 71 holes but bogeyed the No. 5 18th on Sunday after his second shot into the water in front of the green. He finished a stroke behind Victor Hovland and Richard Bland, and Hovland won the playoff.
“It’s not like I wanted to finish it,” McIlroy said. “But you know I’ve gone on from that week and played really well and had a great year.”
McIlroy is a two-time winner of the event. in 2009, his first title as a professional at the age of 19, and in 2015, and is enjoying coming to this part of the world.
“I have been coming here for a long time, 17 years,” he said. “I have a comfort level here. I love starting my year here. I have a lot of friends. I have called this place home for four years.”
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