As the merger was signed on June 6, an infamous scuffle took place between Grayson Murray and Rory McIlroy. Murray threw a sharp comment at PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan at the RBC Canadian Open. He called him a liar saying, “We don’t trust you, Jay – you lied to our face.” In reply to that, McIlroy being the loyalist that he was, defended Monahan and mocked Murray with a harsh remark that demeaned his golfing skills. “Just play better, Grayson.” To which Murray further reverted with a blunt “f*** off.”
At that point, quite evidently, people supported McIlroy more because he was more popular than Grayson. Also, contrary to World No. 2, Murray was struggling with alcoholism and mental health issues. He also had a controversial status due to his constant unduly harsh posts on politics. But apart from Murray, other players had trust issues with Monahan and that is to date evident.
Six months after that “play better” comment by McIlroy, a karmic turnover took place in the fates of both players. McIlroy was playing at the Dubai Invitational as a big-shot player and Grayson Murray was playing at the Sony Open as a mule of the PGA Tour. But a turn of fate landed McIlroy in the second position after having an unforgettable 3-putt on Sunday and Tommy Fleetwood came out as the winner. On the other hand, Murray ended his seven year drought by winning the Sony Open. Grayson currently sits in third place in the FedEx Cup standings. Apart from this, McIlroy and Murray represent two sides of the tour. Let’s take a look into it further.
The PGA Tour Cultures A Group of Champions And Mules
Grayson Murray represents the side of the PGA Tour which is mostly neglected. Moreover, in this PGAT-LIV fight, as the PGA Tour has introduced more events with high purses for top golfers and no cuts, these backend players feel relegated and have no scope for growth. His comment on McIlroy was a way to relieve his frustration after feeling ignored by his organization.
On the other hand, Rory McIlroy served as the martyr of the tour while the circuit was tangled in a fight with the PIF’s league. But he finally found out that all the time that he invested by sacrificing golf was to get used by the tour as a ‘sacrificial lamb’. He recently stepped down from his player director position and has spoken words of reconciliation with LIV Golf. He also wants Jon Rahm to be included in the Ryder Cup, despite his move to LIV. The scenario has entirely changed over the past few months. But aside from Murray, McIlroy remains an influential character and he also topped the PIP list.
But what McIlroy stated—that LIV is an undeniable part of golf—is true. His stance was very honest and only the upper crust of an organization can relate to this, other than golfers like Murray, who depend on the tour’s discretion for money.
Finally, the beauty of a sport is in its uncertainty. It defines how the McIlroys do not always win and the Graysons do not always lose. Six months after the feud, the scenario has changed and now everyone awaits the new framework agreement.
