“Brutal McIlroy swipes back at Tiger Woods.”

 

“Brutal McIlroy swipes back at Tiger Woods.”

Rory Mcllory Hits Back at Critic

Lee Westwood, a prominent English golfer, faced substantial criticism after joining the LIV Golf League in 2022. His departure from the European Tour, where he had been a staple, to a league funded by Saudi Arabian money stirred significant controversy within the golf community.

 

In a recent interview on the *Fairway to Heaven* podcast, Westwood addressed his critics with bluntness, stating, “After 30 years of being a professional sportsman I’ve learned not to give a s*** what anybody thinks.” He defended his choice to join LIV, suggesting that negative opinions were fueled by misinformation and financial interests. Westwood accused critics of being “brainwashed” and manipulating public opinion against LIV players.

 

Rory McIlroy has been one of the most outspoken critics of LIV Golf, particularly targeting players who left for the new league, including Westwood. McIlroy’s remarks about the absence of LIV players from the Ryder Cup and his comments on Henrik Stenson’s loss of the captaincy role further inflamed tensions. Westwood and fellow LIV players, like Ian Poulter, responded sharply to McIlroy’s statements, resulting in a public spat and further animosity.

 

Westwood has criticized the PGA Tour for what he sees as hypocrisy in its response to LIV Golf. He pointed out that the PGA Tour’s TGL ‘high-tech golf league’ closely mirrors LIV’s format, accusing PGA Tour players of duplicity. Westwood has dismissed critiques from figures like Tiger Woods, arguing that both LIV and PGA players promote their tours while disparaging each other.

 

Westwood’s move to LIV has led to several confrontations with other golfers. Eddie Pepperell criticized Westwood’s decision as financially motivated, which led to a heated exchange online. Westwood’s response, including a dismissive emoji about Pepperell’s OWGR ranking, escalated the dispute. Additionally, Westwood rejected comparisons of joining LIV to match-fixing made by Gordon Armstrong, calling the analogy absurd. Armstrong later apologized, but the incident highlighted ongoing tensions in the golf community.

 

Westwood’s transition to LIV Golf has generated a whirlwind of public disputes and criticisms. Despite accusations of financial motivation, Westwood remains steadfast in defending his choices and engaging in public debates. His responses reflect a broader struggle within the golf world over loyalty, financial incentives, and the evolving landscape of professional golf.

 

 

 

 

In summary, Lee Westwood’s move to LIV Golf has been a catalyst for a series of high-profile conflicts and criticisms. His contentious interactions with figures like Rory McIlroy and Eddie Pepperell, alongside his critique of the PGA Tour’s response, underscore the complex dynamics of loyalty and financial considerations in the sport.