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- Rory McIlroy appears to have already changed his stance on the Phil Mickelson situation.
- McIlroy now wants to see Mickelson back out on the PGA Tour sooner rather than later.
- Be sure to check out more golf stories at BroBible here.
Rory McIlroy absolutely eviscerated Phil Mickelson for his scathing comments about the PGA Tour less than two weeks ago. Now, it seems like McIlroy has had a change of heart when it comes to Mickelson, his comments, and his future on Tour.
Following his final round in the Genesis Invitational on February 20, McIlroy called Mickelson’s comments “disappointing, sad, naive, selfish, ignorant, and egotistical.”
McIlroy was of course reacting to Mickelson calling the PGA Tour a “dictatorship” while simultaneously boosting the Saudi Golf League, despite calling the Saudis “scary motherf–kers.”
McIlroy Now Seems To Be In Mickelson’s Corner
McIlroy was without question the harshest critic of Mickelson following his comment bad-mouthing the PGA Tour and commissioner Jay Monahan. Less than two weeks later, McIlroy is calling Mickelson “a wonderful ambassador” for golf while claiming players on Tour want to see Mickelson tee it up again.
“I think Phil has been a wonderful ambassador for the game of golf, still is a wonderful ambassador for the game of golf,” McIlroy said ahead of this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational. “It’s unfortunate that a few comments that he thought he was making in confidence or off the record got out there. This whole situation is unfortunate.
“Phil will be back. I think the players want to see him back. He’s done such a wonderful job for the game of golf, and he’s represented the game of golf very, very well for the entirety of his career.”
McIlroy thinks it’s the solution is as simple as Mickelson asking for forgiveness and the golf world letting him off the hook.
“Look, we all make mistakes,” McIlroy said. “We all say things we want to take back. No one is different in that regard. But we should be allowed to make mistakes, and we should be allowed to ask for forgiveness and for people to forgive us and move on.”
“Hopefully, he comes back at some stage, and he will, and people will welcome him back and be glad that he is back.”
What Caused McIlroy’s Change In Tune?
McIlroy is known as being one of the nicest and most straight-shooting players on the PGA Tour when it comes to talking with the media.
Perhaps McIlroy genuinely felt bad for his heated comments toward Mickelson a week and a half ago. Maybe he’s even talked to Mickelson on the phone about the entire situation.
Nevertheless, McIlroy having a change of heart this quickly about a guy he called “egotistical” and “ignorant” amid the biggest drama the golf world has seen since Tiger Woods hit a fire hydrant is a twist I’m not sure a lot saw coming.