Rory McIlroy’s resentment towards the LIV golf circuit is well known and the Northern Irishman is not ready to bury the hatchet just yet. On Tuesday, the PGA star completely ignored one of the Nationals, Patrick Reed.
The two golfers who will take part in the Dubai Desert Classic crossed paths in training, but McIlroy wanted nothing to do with the American. The latter was content to greet the youngest of his opponents, Harry Diamond, before turning in front of the world No. 1’s back. Reed also weakly threw a “tee” towards McIlroy on the way out.
“Patrick came over to say hello and I didn’t feel like it. As far as I can remember, that’s what happened. I didn’t see a “tee”, I didn’t feel a “tee”. Obviously someone else saw it. It’s really a storm in a teacup,” the 33-year-old athlete said at a news conference on Wednesday, according to Yahoo! Sports.
Reed is trying to win a lawsuit alleging defamation against the Golf Channel network and its analysts. His complaint was also dismissed on Friday. However, he did serve a subpoena on McIlroy over the holiday. Something to add fuel to the fire.
“Obviously you’re trying to have some quality family time, and someone comes to your door to deliver that to you: you’re not going to take it well,” McIlroy explained.
“I live in reality. I don’t know where he lives. If I were in his place, I wouldn’t expect a hello or a handshake,” he explained.
When asked by a media representative if he could ever mend relations with Reed, McIlroy didn’t respond, just shook his head in disapproval. The war between PGA and LIV should therefore continue as long as the two circles coexist.