Rory McIlroy on the golfer he called out: He was my hero

Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia were great friends, but the Spaniard’s departure to LIV Golf seems to have ruined the relationship the two previously had. The Northern Irish golfer and Garcia played in a large number of tournaments together, built a friendship, and became key players in European golf. 

However, after the departure of Garcia and other colleagues to LIV Golf, McIlroy fiercely criticized all those who took such a step. 

The 35-year-old was the main ambassador of the PGA Tour during that period, believing that the prestige and fame of the PGA Tour make it a superior place for all golfers. Many in that period, and many even now, look at LIV Golf as a Tour that wants to reach the top of the golf scene through money. Although this is not far from the truth, it is also a fact that LIV Golf wants to provide golfers with a completely different environment for development.

Rory McIlroy pointed out in an interview with the media that Garcia was still his favorite golfer in the late 90s, and he enjoyed watching him as a boy. Rory McIlroy looked at the Spaniard as an inspiration, and the man who gave him the motivation to play golf. Playing alongside him was a dream come true for McIlroy. However, Rory also achieved enormous fame in a short period of time, becoming an even bigger name than Garcia, but he always had respect and a high opinion of Garcia.

 “When Sergio was coming through,” he said, as quoted by Express.

“Especially in the PGA [Championship] in ’99 at Medinah running up the fairway, Sergio was my favourite player for a lot of years.

Sergio definitely inspired me. Then when I got to playing on tour and getting to play on Ryder Cup teams and stuff with him, it was a dream come ‘true’ for me to play so closely and to partner with one of my favourite heroes growing up.”

Garcia wants to return to the Ryder Cup team, considering that his departure to LIV Golf last year prevented him from doing so. The Spaniard wants to play again next to McIlroy and…