“So I think everyone’s just got to get over it and we all have to say, O.K., this is the starting point and we move forward. We don’t look behind us, we don’t look to the past, whatever’s happened, happened. And it’s been unfortunate. But reunification is the best thing for everyone.”
Those were some of the words spoken by Rory McIlroy in his pre-tournament press conference at the Genesis Invitational, but it seems as though the four-time major winner’s sentiments aren’t shared by all those who play on the PGA Tour, nor those who work in and around it.
One such man is Johnson Wagner, PGA Tour player turned Golf Channel analyst, who feels that McIlroy has lost sight of the wood from the trees and is speaking from a position of privilege.
“The fact that he’s talking about ‘we’ve all benefitted’ — he’s just seeing things from such a finite perspective,” Wagner said while on air with the Golf Channel.
“He’s not seeing who hasn’t benefitted from all this going on, the sponsors that pay all the bills for the PGA Tour events because TV is down, everything is down, but they’re being asked to pay more money. So, good for you. I’m glad you’re making more money than you were in ‘19 — which was a ton of money.”
“He’s just telling everyone they’ve ‘got to get over it’. He’s said some things over the past couple of seasons that have rubbed a lot of players the wrong way,” added the former PGA Tour winner.
Wagner didn’t stop there, however, and went on to suggest that McIlroy’s comments had really gotten under his skin.
“And now he wants everybody to get over it,” he added. “He’s pushing for a small world tour. He’s trying to get his way. I’m a huge fan of Rory, but he is angering me right now. Angering me.”
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