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Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy are both renowned for being incredibly outspoken individuals.
So perhaps it should be no surprise that Westwood and McIlroy have butted heads on numerous occasions over the past few years.
The Englishman joined LIV Golf back in June 2022 and, as we all know, the Northern Irishman has been one of the league’s most vocal critics.
Rory McIlroy has never made an effort to hide his disdain of LIV Golf, and in many ways, that is an admirable trait, especially in an era where many athletes are so guarded when speaking to the media.
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However, Lee Westwood is clearly someone who doesn’t appreciate the six-time major champion’s outspoken nature.
Westwood has always been a staunch defender of LIV Golf, and everything that the league entails.
And now the Englishman has defended LIV Golf once again in the wake of McIlroy’s recent criticism.
On Wednesday, McIlroy responded when asked by reporters whether any LIV golfers would be able to add value to the PGA Tour.
“I mean, I would argue, have they brought value to LIV? You know? I think the PGA TOUR’s in a really good spot,“ McIlroy said.
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Westwood has fired back at the Northern Irishman, while speaking to TNT during their broadcast of LIV Golf Indianapolis.
Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/R&A/R&A via Getty Images
Westwood was asked how he feels about receiving criticism from some golf fans for getting an invite into the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in October.
“I really don’t care what people think to be perfectly honest,“ he responded angrily.
“I think it illustrates the fact that people like LIV players playing in their events. Promoters and sponsors, no matter which tour they are on, they bring quality to tournaments.
“I heard Rory’s comments yesterday, I thought Scottie answered the question well, and Rory’s answer was just typical of him. It wasn’t well thought out. There are a lot of players on this tour who bring value to tournaments and the Alfred Dunhill is a point in question.“
Proof is in the pudding regarding LIV golfers’ value, says Westwood
Westwood then highlighted how Johann Rupert inviting so many LIV golfers to play in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship is proof in itself that players from the league add value to any golf tournament.
“I think Johann Rupert has 26 or 27 invites and he has given them to 25 people off LIV. That just shows you that LIV players do bring value to tournaments,“ the Englishman said.
“I’ve won that tournament and I have supported it. I have played practically every one until I was forced to give up my membership on the European Tour because of the ridiculous fines.
“I have always got on well with Johann and I have gone down and played in his tournament in Leopard’s Creek, which is a fabulous tournament. He’s a great supporter of golf and he’s stuck by his friends.“
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