“So he regrets having a moral compass?”: Golf fans react as Rory McIlroy expresses regret in ‘getting involved’ in the PGA vs PIF battle

During a press conference on Wednesday, May 29 from the RBC Canadian Open venue, Rory McIlroy expressed his regret for his involvement in the controversy involving the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). Fans have responded to his statement in contrasting ways.

McIlroy answered questions about how much his involvement might have affected his concentration, saying:

"I think in hindsight I wish I hadn't have gotten involved, or not 'hadn't gotten involved,' hadn't have gotten as deeply involved in it."

In view of the golfer's comments, one user posted the following on X (formerly Twitter):

"So he regrets having a moral compass? C’mon, Rory. You should be better than that."

Another fan wrote:

"He was trying to be a team player and his team screwed him over."

Let's look at other reactions in X:

"Rory's main regret should be not having any b**ls and going back on his convictions," one fan posted.

"Rory is just like us, used by his employer and tossed to the side when no longer needed," another user wrote.

"Focus on winning majors, buddy," another fan recommended.

"I mean Jay absolute clowned him by making him the attack dog and then going behind him to make a deal with the “blood money” tour anyway," another fan posted.

Rory McIlroy is at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Ontario to play the RBC Canadian Open. This will be the Northern Irishman's fourth appearance in the event, with two wins and a T9 as previous results.

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Rory McIlroy: "I hold no resentment over the guys that chose to go and play on LIV Golf"

During his press conference at Hamilton Golf and Country Club, Rory McIlroy discussed more about his role in the PGA vs PIF conflict and expressed that he holds no grudges against those who play in LIV Golf.

"I've articulated that, you know, I hold no grudges," McIlroy said. "I hold no resentment over the guys that chose to go and play on LIV [Golf]. Everyone's got their own decisions to make."

McIlroy also spoke about his impressions of Nick Taylor's victory in the 2023 edition of the Canadian Open, the first by a Canadian in more than 60 years. The Northern Irishman said he heard the broadcast on the radio, as he was on his way from the course to the airport at the time.

McIlroy had words of praise for Taylor for his spectacular victory, which included a 70-foot putt for an eagle on the final playoff hole to win the tournament. He expressed that the Canadian Open deserved such a finish, both for the history of the event and the moment the PGA Tour was experiencing.

The Monday before the 2023 RBC Canadian Open was June 6, when the “framework agreement” between the PGA Tour and the PIF was announced.

McIlroy also spoke about how much playing the Canadian Open means to him. He said he loves playing in front of the Canadian public. He also said it is important for him to support the event's name sponsor (RBC) for all it has done for golf and the PGA Tour.