Rory McIlroy 'disagrees' with Jon Rahm’s ‘golden era of golf’ remark - “Very rose-tinted glasses”

Jon Rahm showed optimism on the current state of professional golf. Speaking to the media in Dubai ahead of the DP World Tour’s Dubai Desert Classic 2025, the former Masters champion opined that the sport could reach an even “higher level” after years of turmoil. Having voiced his issue against the world rankings system, the Spaniard claimed that we’re currently in the ‘golden era of golf.’

Interestingly, Rory McIlroy doesn’t seem to agree with his LIV counterpart’s comment. The Northern Irishman, speaking a day after the Spaniard’s presser, stated that the remarks came from someone watching the sport with a ‘very rose-tined glasses.’

The World No. 3 golfer stated that there were “amazing players” in “all different tours and parts of the world.” However, he added that the system is “too fractured and too disjointed” at the moment.

The four-time Major winner, who famously opposed LIV Golf in the early years, claimed that he would share Rahm’s ‘optimism if the game wasn't as disjointed.’

Replying to Jon Rahm’s comments ahead of the Dubai Desert Classic, Rory McIlroy said, as quoted by ASAP Sports:

“Very rose-tinted glasses if you ask me… Yeah, look, I think what I would say is with everything that's happened in the game over the past two or three years, I think what I maybe could envision is that the domination of the American side of things might come back a little bit in terms of, not that the game has never been global, but you know, sort of trying to build on the opportunities globally…

"There's amazing players, right. There's amazing players that play in all different tours and parts of the world and everything, which is great. But at the same time, it's become too fractured and too disjointed… I would share his optimism if the game wasn't as disjointed and as fractured as it was.”

McIlroy concluded his comment by stating that he’d ‘share Jon Rahm’s optimism’ if the sport reaches a positive point ‘sometime in the near future.’

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Jon Rahm lauds pro golf while complaining about OWGR

Jon Rahm made the optimistic comments on professional golf while complaining about LIV Golf’s Official World Ranking situation. The ace golfer, who joined the Saudi-backed circuit last season, addressed his league’s continued snub on the ranking points front and admitted that he thought “things would be further along at this point.”

The two-time Major winner even addressed the recent introduction of Tiger Woods and McIlroy’s TGL simulator league while speaking about the state of pro golf.

Jon Rahm said on Tuesday, as quoted by ASAP Sports:

“I think so many of us want some kind of resolution to come together and get the best possible product for the consumer, which is what I think we’re still in a position to do. But I think we’re living in a golden era right now for golf where the possibilities are endless. A big tour in Europe and a worldwide and a massive and massive tour, the PGA Tour. And you have another big product with LIV and now you’re even adding the TGL. When it comes to golf, the possibilities are there right now.”

Rahm went on to dub it “unfair” that the LIV Golf league does not receive points yet. It is pertinent to note that the former Ryder Cup star is the highest-profile player to jump to the breakaway circuit after the PGA Tour-PIF framework agreement announcement in 2023.