Rory McIlroy has taken a serious pop at the upcoming Saudi-backed LIV Series tournament in London next week.
Speaking ahead of this week's PGA Tour Memorial Tournament, which will also feature Shane Lowry and Seamus Power, McIlroy was less than impressed with the field for the London event which was announced earlier today.
Indifferent is probably the way I would describe it. A couple of surprises in there I think.
“Look, I have some very close friends that are playing in this event in London, and I certainly wouldn't want to stand in their way to do what they feel is right for themselves. It's not something that I would do personally but I certainly understand why some of the guys have gone, and it's something that we are all just going to keep an eye on and see what happens over these next few weeks.
“But I certainly don't think the field is anything to jump up and down about. Look at the field this week. Look at the field next week in Canada. They are proper golf tournaments.”
RBC ambassador Dustin Johnson will be skipping next week's @RBCCanadianOpen to play the first LIV Golf event.
This is how they responded 👇👀 pic.twitter.com/SLLeYiJldZ— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) June 1, 2022
The tournament in London's Centurion Club is the first of the hugely controversial LIV Series, and will feature the likes of Dustin Johnson, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, and longtime friend and compatriot of McIlroy, Graeme McDowell.
McIlroy has previously voiced his concerns about the new tour, and was critical of Phil Mickelson who had championed the new golf tour and was a vocal critic of the PGA Tour.
Mickelson was subsequently 'cancelled' for his comments about Saudi Arabia, and does not feature in the field for next week's event.
The new golf tour will feature a team event in each tournament, no cut, and will only be three-rounds of golf.
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