Former Ireland, Ulster and Ospreys Legend Tommy Bowe has called out Rory McIlroy for his stance on Liv Golf.
Bowe, who like McIlroy hails from Ulster, was discussing rugby’s new rumoured R360 league when he questioned the reigning Masters Champion’s continued support of events in the Middle East, as well as his sponsorship commitments.
Recommended
In a nutshell, it was revealed last week that Mike Tindall was a driving force behind rugby’s latest venture, aimed at overhauling several perceived problems with the current system and broadening the sport’s appeal to a more global audience.
The breakaway league would feature global franchises that play a condensed 16-week season running from April to June and then August to September, crucially avoiding the international rugby season. According to reports, the league has already garnered interest from F1 and NFL owners and has already signed agreements with players in England as part of its aim to attract the top 360 players from both the men’s and women’s game.
While Rúaidhrí O’Connor of the Irish Independent reported that no Irish players had yet signed up and were adopting a ‘wait-and-see’ approach, there has been a mixed reaction to the venture on these shores, with some ardently opposing it, and others more open to the idea.
READ ALSO: Ref Mic Audio Reveals The Sledging That Contributed To Jack Crowley Outburst
READ ALSO: All Black Legend Reveals Reason For Joining AIL Side Terenure College RFC
15 September 2024; Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland after finishing his round on the 18th green during day four of the Amgen Irish Open Golf Championship 2024 at the Royal County Down Golf Club in Newcastle, Down. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Tommy Bowe calls out Rory McIlroy’s stance on LIV Golf
Discussing the proposed league’s somewhat controversial links to the PIF, which has also invested in LIV Golf’s infamous breakaway from the PGA Tour, Tommy Bowe called out McIlroy’s mixed messaging on Middle Eastern investment.
After reeling off the admittedly exhaustive list of sports already receiving investment from the Middle East on his Offload Podcast, Bowe, who is open to increased investment in the game, took some issue with Donncha O’Callaghan’s praise of Rory McIlroy’s morals.
“I’m a big fan of Rory McIlroy, I half know Rory as well, and Rory was brilliant talking about LIV and against that, I thought he was fantastic,” caveated Bowe before he delved into the golfer’s other commitments. Then came the but:
But, Rory has been sponsored by Jumeirah Beach for how long, he always plays the Dubai Open, he’s always playing in the Middle East.
LIV Golf, yes he doesn’t agree with that because he’s a big believer in the PGA or whatever else, but he’s still more than happy to go over and play in the Dubai Open.
In McIlroy’s defence, Jumeirah and he have not partnered since long before the arrival of LIV into the world of golf.
In typical fashion, the rant was disturbed by Donncha O’Callaghan, who was dialling in from a ship departing Dublin Port. However, at the heart of their point was the financial struggles of the English and Welsh sides, as well as the URC’s arguably dwindling numbers of support.
The pair were both in agreement about one thing: players are putting their bodies on the line and holding up their part of the bargain, while the off-field administrative side of rugby was lagging behind.
Whether the R360 will ever get going, or like so many of its predecessors will simply fall to the wayside, is yet to be seen, but either way it will prove divisive. For some, it would be a massively missed opportunity, while for others an egregious breach of the values rugby prides itself on.
SEE ALSO: All Blacks Legend Sums Up Why Munster Fans Should Be So Excited About New Coach