ATLANTA — Sunday afternoon, late Rory McIlroy Scottie SchefflerJay Monahan, PGA Tour Commissioner, stood on a balcony in the East Lake Golf Club Clubhouse, looking out at the 18th green, as he prepared to play the final round of the Tour Championship.
Monahan, who had a difficult summer, if you haven’t heard, smiled big.
Monahan knows that LIV Golf will not get McIlroy or Scheffler, the two biggest stars in the game, no matter who they take from the PGA Tour Monday or in the weeks or months ahead. Tiger Woods.
April Scheffler won the battleMcIlroy was second when McIlroy won his first major championship at The Masters. McIlroy rallied from a 6-shot deficit for the 18th hole to win the Sunday Masters. It was the largest comeback in Tour Championship history.
With The first stepsMcIlroy was 21 under 72 holes. This is 1 shot better than Scheffler or South Koreas. Sungjae Im. McIlroy was the FedEx Cups third winner. The latest edition came with a $18 million purse.
McIlroy said, Its an awful lot. I believe that the game of golf is a good sport. This tour is special to me. I believe in the players on this trip. Its the best place in the world for golf. Ive played all over. This is a proud moment for me. It should also be a proud moment for the PGA Tour.
Theyve been through some tough times this year, but theyre getting through it. It was quite a spectacle to see two of the top players in the world go head-to-head for the biggest prize at the PGA Tour. I hope everyone at home enjoyed it.
Scheffler still held the No. 1 spot in the Official World Golf Ranking, winning four times in six starts. The Summer of Scottie felt very much like the Summer Of Rory, even though Scheffler climbed to the No. 1 spot in the Official World Golf Ranking after winning four times in six starts.
McIlroy, a four time major champion, narrowly missed ending an 8-year drought of not winning one. He finished second to Scheffler at Augusta National Golf Club. He was eighth at The PGA Championship, tied fifth at The Open and fifth at The U.S. Open.
McIlroys July 150th Open Championship near miss at St. Andrews was the most painful. He was tied for second in the final round with Norways. Viktor HovlandFor the lead, but could only manage a 2-under 70. Australias Cameron SmithMcIlroy was 2 strokes behind, with McIlroy recording an 8-under 64.
Im only a human. Im not robot. McIlroy stated that winning the Claret Jug is something you think about, and that you visualize it.
McIlroy was a winner twice before this season, at both the CJ Cup @ Summit and the RBC Canadian Open. However, McIlroys season would have felt hollow if he didnt win the FedEx Cup Sunday.
Thats why he has a caddie. Harry DiamondOn Sundays 72nd green, he said to him that he deserved all the good golf he had played this year.
Scheffler was the top player this summer and deserved the season-ending title just as much. McIlroys outstanding work for the PGA Tour extended far beyond the course.
LIV Golf signed several PGA Tour members to contracts when it began, including former major champions. Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson deChambeau Patrick ReedMcIlroy was a vocal opponent of the PGA Tour. LIV Golf CEO Greg NormanMcIlroy, who was twice a winner of The Open, was suggested by a second-time winner, namely.
McIlroy declared on Sunday that if you believe in something, you must speak up. I truly do. Its a terrible thing for the game of golf. I hate it. Its really awful.
McIlroy, Tiger Woods hosted a meeting with more than 20 top players on the PGA Tour in an effort to get them to stay. While Woods, a 15-time major champion, was the loudest voice in the 3½-hour meeting, McIlroys voice mattered more than that of any other player regularly competing on the tour now.
I know he wanted it for himself, but also for the PGA Tour and really make a difference. Justin ThomasESPN reported that he spoke to ESPN on Sunday. Hes the second biggest star out here and it isnt like he was given that title. He has done this with great golf and great fun and work with his fans. He is a great brand. He does everything that you need to do to be in the same position as him.
McIlroy stated that he didnt intend to be in the middle of the PGA Tour LIV Golf battle. McIlroy joked about how he was not the right time to join PGA Tours board.
McIlroy stated, Its been an incredibly turbulent time for the world mens professional golf in general. I was right there in the middle of it. I try to defend what I consider the best place to play professional golf. Its fitting that I was able get this done today to finish off a year that has been challenging and very different.
McIlroy admitted that it has been difficult for him to concentrate on his game at times with so many things going on around. He participated in a teleconference with the board on Tuesday morning this week. He announced a new venture in partnership with Woods and PGA Tour the next day. TGL, a stadium-style interactive course of golf, may not directly compete with LIV Golf but it is designed to put more money into the pockets of PGA Tour players. Three-man teams will compete for two hours on Monday nights virtual course.
LIV Golf and the PGA Tour are battling for the best players around the world. This battle isnt likely to end anytime soon. LIV Golf will announce that Smith, the No. Smith, the No. 2 player in the world, along with at least five other PGA Tour players are leaving. They will be competing in the LIV Golf event at The International, Boston next week.
McIlroy stated that In a sense, its mine life. I don’t know any other. For me, golf has been my escape over the past few weeks. I cant be stopped by anyone, and its my escape form all the other stuff. I guess I can switch on and off quite well and compartmentalize things.
McIlroy stated that it would be difficult for him to stomach seeing 18 former PGA Tour players competing on the LIV Golf series. McIlroy will be playing in the DP World Tours BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club, Surrey, England, from Sept 8-11. Abraham Ancer, Talor GoochReed and Jason KokrakThey are expected to be among the LIV golf players.
That just doesn’t sit right for me. McIlroy agreed. I believe that the things Im saying are right. I believe that when you believe that the things youre saying are right, youre more likely to stand your ground.
McIlroy can now lift his head after winning the FedEx Cup on Sunday.
