GOLF CHANNEL analyst Wagner Johnson has taken aim at Rory McIlroy for comments surrounding the PGA Tour-LIV Golf divide.
The former PGA Tour star took issue with the Northern Irishman’s words during a pre-tournament press conference at Torrey Pines in San Diego.
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Rory McIlroy addressed the lLIV-PGA Tour dispute during his press conference on Wednesday
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Wagner Johnson was irritated by Rory McIlroy’s comments surround the golf civil-warCredit: GOLF CHANNEL YOUTUBE
The Northern Irishman was speaking ahead of The Genesis Invitational, which got underway on Thursday afternoon.
LIV Golf and the PGA Tour have been embroiled in a civil war since the emergence of the PIF-backed league.
Thirty-seven-year-old McIlroy, who has made a stunning U-turn regarding LIV Golf over the last year, had previously been one of its most outspoken critics.
McIlroy addressed the ongoing dispute during his press conference on Wednesday before hailing LIV for raising the prize money in the game of top=level golf.
He said:”Whether you stayed on the PGA Tour or left, we have all benefited from this.
“I’ve been on the record saying this a lot. We’re playing for a 20 million dollar prize fund this week [and] that would have never happened if LIV hadn’t come around.
“I think everyone’s just got to get over it and we all have to say ‘okay, this is the starting point and we move forward’. We don’t look to the past.
“Whatever’s happened has happened. How we all come back together and move forward, that’s the best thing for everyone.”
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan met with Trump last week as they hope to strike a deal between the US-based circuit, the DP World Tour, and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
But analyst Wagner Johnson wasn’t having the four-time major winner’s comments as he said the Down ace was not looking at it from all perspectives.
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Appearing on Golf Central ahead of the Genesis Invitational, Wagner said: “The fact that he’s saying that we’ve all benefited, he’s just seeing things from a finite perspective, from his perspective.
“You know who hasn’t benefited since all these things have gone on? The sponsors, who pay all the bills. TV is down, everything is down yet they are being asked to pay more money.
“So, good for you, I’m glad you’re making more money than you were in 2019, which was a ton of money.
“Also, he’s telling everyone to get over it. Rory has said a lot of things over the past couple of seasons that have rubbed a lot of players the wrong way.
“Now, he wants everyone to get over it, he’s pushing for a small world tour. He’s trying to get his way in every way.
“I’m a huge fan of Rory, but he’s angering me right now.”
