PGA Tour pro calls Rory McIlroy "the biggest cry baby" over his LIV Golf remarks

Rory McIlroy was criticised by a PGA Tour pro over his comments about feeling "betrayal" over players' decisions to join the LIV Golf Tour.

Ben Smith's picture
Mon, 31 Oct 2022
PGA Tour pro calls Rory McIlroy "the biggest cry baby" over his LIV Golf remarks

Rory McIlroy was labelled a "cry baby" by a PGA Tour pro who hasn't won on the circuit in 10 years after the Northern Irishman claimed players who joined LIV Golf "left their legacy behind". 

Charlie Beljan leapt on a social media post by Bunkered about McIlroy's comments about feeling a sense of "betrayal" over some players' decisions to join the breakaway tour, which concluded its inaugural season in Miami last weekend. 

Dustin Johnson's 4 Aces won the $50m team championship at Trump National Doral with Pat Perez, Talor Gooch and Patrick Reed all splitting $16m.

Related: Harold Varner III says he senses jealousy over LIV Golf

Johnson then packed on a public display of affection with his glamorous wife Paulina Gretzky after holding his nerve over a putt that was worth millions of dollars.  

But back to Beljan, who replied: "The biggest cry baby for sure." 

McIlroy, of course, has been at the centre of the LIV Golf versus PGA Tour battle.

LIV Golf launched in June but as far back as early February the Northern Irishman was voicing his strong opinions. 

If the name Beljan rings a bell, it's because it was around this time last year the 38-year-old got himself into hot water after he refused to get a COVID-19 vaccination before the Butterfield Bermuda Championship. 

He had to hastily delete his rant on social media. Beljan is currently ranked 2818 spots below McIlroy in the world rankings. 

What did McIlroy say? 

McIlroy previously gave a wide ranging interview with The Guardian where he spoke about the fallout LIV Golf has had on Ryder Cup Europe. 

He said: 

"I think it is the first time in my life that I have felt betrayal, in a way. It's an unfamiliar feeling to me. You build bonds with these people through Ryder Cups and other things. Them knowing that what they are about to do is going to jeopardise them from being a part of that ever again? There was a great opportunity for GMac to maybe be the captain at Adare in 2027. Most of Sergio's legacy is Ryder Cup-based, same with Poulter, Westwood.
"I would like to think the Ryder Cup means as much to them as it does to me. Maybe it does. But knowing what the consequences could be, I just could never make that decision. OK, it might not be 100 per cent certain but that it could be the outcome? It just isn't a move I would be willing to make. I thought they felt the same way.
"I feel like the place where they have been able to build their legacy and build their brand, they have just left behind. You could make the same argument about me, I started in Europe and went to America but I have always been supportive of the traditional system. If people felt so aggrieved about some things, I'd rather be trying to make those changes from inside the walls than trying to go outside and be disruptive." 

These comments appeared to baffle Ian Poulter. 

Poulter said of McIlroy's comments:

"I mean, look, my commitment to the Ryder Cup I think goes before me. I don't think that should ever come in question. I've always wanted to play Ryder Cups and have played with as much passion as anyone else that I've ever seen play a Ryder Cup.
"You know, I don't know where that comment really has come from, to be honest." 

The Englishman tasted disappointment at the LIV Golf team championship in Miami as his Majesticks GC crashed out early. 

He did, however, cause a bit of a stir as after he defeated Kevin Na on day one, he told the American: "F you, basically". 

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