Rory McIlroy looks GLUM as he is seen for the first time since controversial PGA-LIV Golf merger

A glum-looking Rory McIlroy was seen for the first time since the announcement of the merger between PGA and LIV Golf on Tuesday.

The stunning merger caused a stir in the golfing world, with the PGA and European Tours signing an agreement with the Saudi Arabian-backed circuit to combine their businesses into a new company yet to be named.

The merger ends the ongoing litigation between the bitter rivals, but specific financial and operational details of the deal have yet to be disclosed.

The announcement came after 12 months of unprecedented disruption to the professional men’s game following the launch of LIV, which held its first event in England in June 2022.

McIlroy, along with Tiger Woods, had established himself as one of the fiercest critics of the Saudi-backed tour, but they both remained in the dark about the deal.

McIlroy plays in the Pro Am at the Canadian Open ahead of the main draw

The Northern Irishman has been an outspoken critic of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit

And on Wednesday, the Northern Irishman was first spotted playing nine holes of the Pro Am at the Canadian Open.

It comes after news also broke today that McIlroy was told by fellow PGA Tour golfer and world number 227 Grayson Murray to ‘f*** off’ during an explosive encounter on Tuesday between the stars of the tour and Commissioner Jay Monahan after the announcement.

McIlroy – who reportedly turned down an extremely lucrative £400m deal from LIV – had lashed out at those on the breakaway tour several times since launch.

This includes when he claimed he felt “betrayed” by some of his former Ryder Cup colleagues, such as Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood, while also insisting that stars had only joined LIV because of “the boatloads of cash” that immediately were offered, before adding, “for some guys, that’s really enticing.”

He is also one of many stars who feel they have been betrayed by PGA Tour Commissioner Monahan, who previously slammed those who joined LIV regarding the morality of accepting Saudi money and pointed to the links of the Kingdom with the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

After the merger was announced, Monahan accepted that he would be labeled a “hypocrite” but insisted that the players who remained loyal to the PGA Tour had made the right decision.

“They’ve helped reshape the future of the PGA Tour, they’ve moved us to a more competitive model,” said Monahan – who has been called upon to resign several times.

McIlroy has been a vocal critic of LIV Golf since it launched last year and reportedly turned down a £400 million bid from the Saudi-backed tour when they tried to get him out

PGA Tour chief Jay Monahan has been criticized for his previous comments regarding LIV

‘We have invested heavily in our company in 2023, we will do that in ’24. (But) we had to invest back into our business through our reserves. Between our reservations, the legal costs, our substantiation and our commitment to the DP World Tour and their legal costs, it has been significant.

“But this puts us in a position where we have capital that we can deploy for the benefit of our members and through our tournaments, and it gives us capital to deploy in growth companies that will ultimately generate a return that we will reinvest in our players.” .’

Asked if the likes of Woods – who turned down a reported £650m – and McIlroy would be compensated for turning down lucrative offers from LIV, or if those who made massive payouts to join the breakout should pay back, Monahan said. “I think those are all the serious conversations we’re going to have.”

‘Ultimately everything has to be thought about. In the end, you’re talking about an equalization over time, and I think that’s a fair and reasonable concept.’