Former Rory McIlroy ally denies being source of wild rumour: “It never came from me”
Rory McIlroy’s former agent, Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler, has firmly refuted claims that he was the source of a rumor suggesting that McIlroy was on the verge of joining LIV Golf for a staggering $850 million. This rumor had stirred considerable excitement and speculation within the golf community, particularly given McIlroy’s outspoken criticism of the breakaway tour in the past.
The rumor, which first surfaced in April, came at a time when McIlroy had already been in the spotlight for his vocal criticisms of LIV Golf. Over the years, McIlroy had been a prominent critic of the tour, which was launched by the Saudi Arabian government-backed Public Investment Fund and offered large sums of money to golfers to join. McIlroy’s outspoken stance had been perceived by many as a reflection of his commitment to the PGA Tour, the traditional cornerstone of professional golf.
However, by the beginning of the year, McIlroy seemed to soften his previously stringent position. He admitted that he had been “too judgmental” about golfers who chose to join LIV Golf for financial reasons. McIlroy acknowledged that LIV Golf was now an established part of the sport and was here to stay, which led some observers to believe that he might be reconsidering his position. This shift in McIlroy’s rhetoric was interpreted by some as a significant change in his stance, leading to accusations of a betrayal of his principles.
The situation became even more intriguing when Phil Mickelson, one of LIV Golf’s most high-profile recruits and a key figure in the tour’s promotion, publicly weighed in on McIlroy’s situation. Mickelson, who had signed a lucrative contract with LIV Golf reportedly worth around $200 million, took to social media to offer words of encouragement and advise against piling on McIlroy. Mickelson urged for a more supportive approach, suggesting that it was time to let go of past hostilities and work towards a more positive future in golf.
A week after The Masters, a report by City AM claimed that McIlroy was contemplating a dramatic switch to LIV Golf. The report suggested that LIV Golf had offered McIlroy a massive up-front payment of $850 million, along with a 2% equity stake in the tour. This level of compensation, if true, would have represented one of the most lucrative contracts in sports history. McIlroy, however, was quick to address the speculation, dismissing it as unfounded. He firmly stated that he had never been presented with any such offer and had no intention of leaving the PGA Tour. McIlroy reiterated his commitment to the PGA Tour, emphasizing that he planned to spend the rest of his career playing on the circuit.
McIlroy’s response to the rumors was consistent with his previous statements. He had made it clear over the past two years that LIV Golf was not something he envisioned for his own career. While he acknowledged the right of other golfers to make their own decisions, he reaffirmed his dedication to the PGA Tour and his belief that it would remain his home for the duration of his career.
In the wake of the rumors, some speculated that Chandler, McIlroy’s former agent, might have been the source of the speculation. Chandler, who had a falling out with McIlroy in 2011, had previously been involved in controversies regarding his management style. The split between Chandler and McIlroy was marked by acrimony, with McIlroy feeling that Chandler was leading him in the wrong direction.
Chandler, however, has denied any involvement in spreading the rumors about McIlroy’s potential move to LIV Golf. In a recent interview
