'Typical - it wasn't well thought out': Lee Westwood hits back at Rory McIlroy over LIV comments
Rory McIlroy’s former Ryder Cup team-mate Lee Westwood has hit back at the Northern Irishman following his comments questioning the value of LIV Golf players – saying it was “typical of Rory, really - it wasn't well thought out”.
During his press conference leading up to this week’s BMW Championship, McIlroy warned LIV stars that they faced a “tough road back” to the PGA Tour amid uncertainty over the future of the rebel series.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has decided to end its support for LIV after the current season with organisers seeking new investment to enable the circuit to continue.
Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka has returned to the PGA Tour after a stint with LIV and Jon Rahm is reportedly poised to quit.
Further uncertainty developed earlier this week when LIV cancelled its season-ending Team Championships – this week’s event in Indianapolis will be the last in the tour’s current guise.
McIlroy was asked if LIV stars would bring value upon returning to the PGA Tour, to which he replied: “Have they brought value to LIV? I think the PGA Tour’s in a really good spot.
“Eventually, yes, maybe. Eventually they will, if they play the golf.
“I’m not part of these discussions, but I’m pretty sure they’re not going to be welcomed back straight away.
“I feel like I’ve kept my position consistent that LIV has never been a good thing for the game.
“Were there things at the start of LIV that the PGA Tour could have done better? Sure, but I’ve always felt like this is the best place to play professional golf.
"I’m pretty sure if the PGA Tour was handed six billion (US dollars) it would have done a better job with it.”
Former world number one Westwood, who switched to LIV in 2022, sits second behind McIlroy on the European Tour’s career money list and has won two titles on the PGA Tour.
McIlroy and Westwood were part of three Ryder Cup team wins for Europe in 2010, 2012 and 2014.
Westwood will make his Legends Tour debut next week and is set to appear on the DP World Tour at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in October – an event which McIlroy has previously played at.
When asked about McIlroy’s recent comments, Westwood told TNT Sports: "I really don't care what people think, to be perfectly honest.
"It [Alfred Dunhill Links Championship invite] illustrates the fact that people like LIV players in their events.
"Promoters and sponsors, no matter which tour they're on, they [LIV golfers] bring quality to tournaments.
"I heard Rory's comments. I thought Scottie [Scheffler] answered the question well and Rory's answer was just typical of Rory, really - it wasn't well thought out.
"There's a lot of players on this tour [LIV Golf] bring value to tournaments."
McIlroy enjoyed a superb start to his BMW Championship campaign on Thursday, taking a share of the lead after firing an opening round six-under par.