McIlroy Eases Off Criticism of LIV Golf. He Says Rahm Defection Was a Smart Business Move

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, walks on the third green during the third round of the Tour Championship golf tournament in Atlanta on Aug. 26, 2023. Mike Stewart/AP Photo

KAPALUA, Hawaii—Rory McIlroy has gone from being the harshest critic of LIV Golf to extending an olive branch. He said on a British soccer podcast Wednesday he was too judgmental about players defecting and has accepted that LIV is “part of our sport now.”

He referred to Jon Rahm’s decision to join LIV Golf last month as a “smart business move.”