BROOKLINE, Mass. — During the press conference following his round, one media member in framing a question said that Rory McIlroy had “sort of become the moral compass of the professional game” regarding his stance on the lucrative, Saudi-backed LIV Golf.
McIlroy admitted last weekend following his Canadian Open victory that he had extra motivation because of the chasm that has been created with PGA Tour players leaving for guaranteed money and no-cut, 54-hole events.
On Thursday morning, McIlroy’s compass was pointed north, as in toward the top of the leaderboard. The 2011 U.S. Open champion took advantage of good scoring conditions in the morning when the wind was quiet and turned in a 3-under-par 67, one shot behind Adam Hadwin, who ripped off five birdies on the final six holes of the front nine.
