Sergio Garcia has hailed Rory McIlroy's change in opinion when it comes to LIV Golf, with tensions within the sport appearing to ease.
Formerly good friends and Ryder Cup teammates, McIlroy and Garcia's relationship was tested when the latter opted to leave the PGA Tour and DP World Tour to join the LIV setup. The Northern Irishman announced himself as one of the breakaway league's staunchest critics, previously slamming the decision made by Garcia and co.
Just over two years on however, McIlroy appears to have had a change of heart when it comes to the Saudi-funded league, with the PGA Tour in negotiations with LIV bosses over a possible peace deal.
"I think it's great," Garcia said of McIlroy's warming to the LIV league to Golf Magic. "I think at the end of the day it shows we're all very emotional and we try to defend our positions and stuff like that, but at the end of the day, it shows we all want to go in the same direction and make golf better.
"That's the most important thing. Rory has seen that, he realizes that trying to fight each other is not going to help anyone, and it's definitely not going to help the game." McIlroy's U-turn appeared to be complete at last week's Alfred Dunhill Links Championship after he played alongside LIV chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan in the Pro-Am event.
On day one - where Al-Rumayyan played alongside PGA Tour commissioner and fellow negotiator, Jay Monahan - McIlroy was seen enjoying a chat and a smile with the Saudi chief on the driving range before the pair continued their discussions a day later whilst walking the fairways.
Having watched on, Garcia welcomed the healthy relationship between the powers that be in Scotland. "I hope it's moving closer [to unification]," the Spaniard added. "I don't know exactly what they talked about last week but yeah I hope it went well.
"I think that's the goal for everyone. I wish it had happened a while back, but you know, everyone has their own agendas in a way and the way they want things to happen. But look, it's good, they [Monahan and Al-Rumayyan] are sitting, they are talking, it's a good start and hopefully we will hear something soon."
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In terms of calling on a so-called 'merger', McIlroy was of the same opinion. "There's no better place than the home of golf to try and get everyone together and talking," he said last week. "I think it's a great thing and a good sign that Jay and Yasir are going to play together on Thursday, and you've got quite a big contingent from LIV that are playing this event.
"It’s a matter of trying to get all the different constituents on board because I think the sponsors want the same thing. I think everyone just wants to see the game of golf come back together and have all of the best players playing together.
"And try to make it a bit more global, as well. I think there are a lot of people on board with that and it’s just a matter of trying to work through the various sort of complicated issues that there are to try to get it done."
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