Rory McIlroy learns PGA Tour rival's true feelings after his public LIV Golf backtrack

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Billy Horschel has commended Rory McIlroy for his candidness after the latter's unexpected shift in opinion on LIV Golf.

McIlroy, once a staunch opponent of the controversial Saudi-backed series that sent shockwaves through the sport last year, famously declared he would rather retire than join LIV Golf, which he "hated".

Yet, as the PGA Tour began discussions over a potential merger with LIV Golf in mid-2023, the four-time major champion made headlines by acknowledging the rebel tour as "part of our sport now" and expressing a willingness to play in LIV-affiliated events.

Rory McIlroy (right) and Billy Horschel (Image: Getty)

While McIlroy's change of heart sparked debate within golf circles, Horschel has offered nothing but support for his fellow competitor. Speaking to Golf, by TourMiss, the American golfer, who recently triumphed over McIlroy at the BMW PGA Championship, said: "The great thing also about Rory is that he's always been pretty honest with everyone."

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Horschel continued to defend McIlroy's revised perspective, adding, "He says things as he sees them and while he's changed his mind about what is continuing in the bigger picture in men's golf, I don't fault him for it. So, I found myself applauding him for changing his views and listening to him. There is not many guys in the game of golf better than Rory."

Meanwhile, McIlroy has expressed his belief that the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and a division among players on both sides present the most significant obstacles to a final peace agreement in golf. The golfer welcomed the hopeful sentiment stemming from recent talks in New York.

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However, he acknowledges that any such agreement will be under the DOJ's scrutiny. When asked about the major roadblocks to an agreement, McIlroy responded: "Department of Justice. Maybe different interests from the players' side.

"I'd say maybe half the players on LIV want the deal to get done, half probably don't.

"I'd say it's probably similar on the PGA Tour. Because just like anything, everyone's looking out for themselves and their best interests.

"It would benefit some people for a deal not to get done, but it would obviously benefit some people for a deal to get done. I think when you have a members-run organisation it complicates things a little bit, especially when some of those players are having to make decisions on the business side of things.

"I think the tours want it to happen. The investors certainly want it to happen because they can see the benefit for themselves.

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"It seems like the people that are really making the decisions are all rowing in the same direction, which is a really good thing [but] even if they are all rowing in the same direction, it still doesn't mean that a deal may get done because it's just a very complicated set of circumstances. But from what I hear there's optimism there, and that's good to see."

Rory McIlroy learns PGA Tour rival's true feelings after his public LIV Golf backtrack

Rory McIlroy learns PGA Tour rival's true feelings after his public LIV Golf backtrack

Rory McIlroy learns PGA Tour rival's true feelings after his public LIV Golf backtrack

Rory McIlroy learns PGA Tour rival's true feelings after his public LIV Golf backtrack

Rory McIlroy learns PGA Tour rival's true feelings after his public LIV Golf backtrack