Rory McIlroy’s former ally denies wild LIV Golf claim as Phil Mickelson intervenes
Rory McIlroy’s former agent Chubby Chandler has denied that he was the source of a rumour suggesting the Irishman was on the verge of joining LIV Golf. McIlroy has been a vocal opponent of the Saudi-backed breakaway tour over the years but has softened his stance in recent months.
It was recently reported that McIlroy was in line for a surprise move to LIV after being offered a signing-on fee in excess of £660million. According to City AM, the 35-year-old was also promised a two per cent equity stake in a bid to convince him to join the likes of Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau.
McIlroy, however, was quick to squash the rumour by insisting that he was committed to staying on the PGA Tour for the rest of his career. It was later speculated that Chandler, who split with McIlroy under acrimonious circumstances in 2011, may have been the source of the gossip.
He has since denied spreading the rumour in an interview with Flushing It but went on to suggest that McIlroy could still join LIV at some point further down the line.
“No, they weren’t from me at all,” said Chandler when quizzed on the rumours. “It was just my thought [that he was going] and I still think it is [possible he could join LIV].
“If Rory was hoping to bring the game together, in a funny sort of way, if he signed for LIV, it would make everybody come together, but he would do it the wrong way round. At the end of the day, if Rory is amongst this lot, then you’ve almost got what you want.
“I mean, I’m not telling Rory to do anything. Rory is his own man and he always has been. Since he was 17 years old he was his own man and he still is.”
