Rory McIlroy has hit out at LIV Golf star Phil Mickelson for his bold claim that the established PGA Tour is "trending downwards" following the inception of the Saudi-funded breakaway series.
Mickelson has become a divisive figure within golf following his move to LIV and his quotes surrounding the series, which is headed by Greg Norman.
And the six-time major champion made the headlines once again last week ahead of LIV's penultimate event of its maiden season in the Saudi city of Jeddah. He spoke about the breakaway circuit's success while aiming a dig at the PGA Tour, where he has played most of his professional career.
He said: "I see LIV Golf trending upwards, I see the PGA Tour trending downwards, and I love the side that I’m on." However, Mickelson's comments drew plenty of criticism, with Jon Rahm rubbishing his American rival's opinion.
Now McIlroy, arguably LIV Golf's biggest critic, has waded into the debate. "I don’t agree with what Phil said," he told reporters ahead of this week’s CJ Cup. "I understand why he said it because of the position he is in but I don’t think anyone with a logical view can agree with what he said.”
Both sides of the PGA Tour vs LIV divide have been eager to make their case in recent months which has led to an ugly civil war within golf, and McIlroy believes there is only one party to blame, while slamming the "propaganda".
"I have spoken about this at length," he added. "I think the people that have decided to stay here and play these tournaments, they haven’t done anything different to what we have always done.
"We are playing these events, we are PGA Tour members and we have stuck to the system that’s traditionally been there. The guys that have gone over to LIV, they’re the ones that have made the disruption and put the golf world in flux right now.
"For them to be talking the way they are – it's bold, and there is a lot of propaganda being used and all sorts of stuff. I certainly don’t see the PGA Tour trending downwards at all.
"You have got 95% of the talent here. People like Tom Kim coming through; they are the future of the game."
