Rory McIlroy believes LIV chief Greg Norman’s claim that players from the rebel-backed tour will storm the 18th green if one of them wins The Masters “only puts more pressure on them.”
Norman has made plenty of headlines in the media in the lead-up to The Masters and stated he had “goosebumps” at the mere thought of seeing a LIV player secure the famous green jacket.
The Australian also reiterated the camaraderie among the pros on the Saudi-backed tour could be what propels one of them to glory.
However, McIlroy believes Norman’s bold statements will only serve to hinder the LIV stars competing at Augusta rather than help them.
“I think that only puts more pressure on them,” McIlroy told The Telegraph.
“That they are not just playing for themselves but they are playing for this cause.
“Look, this tournament is bigger than all of that.
“Look, it’s a narrative and a storyline, but the Masters sits above all that noise, and that’s the way it should be this week.”
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McIlroy’s comments came after a trio of LIV stars copped a fatal blow in their bid to continue their Ryder Cup careers.
Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia may no longer compete in the famous golf competition after they were defeated in their arbritation case against the DP World Tour.
The DP World Tour oversees the Ryder Cup and will get its disciplinary panel together as soon as possible in order to sort out what punishments will be dished out.
Westwood found out about the ruling via a text message, as the decision means the DP World Tour is permitted to issue suspensions and fines to the members who went against CEO Keith Pelley.
Bans from upcoming tournaments and individual fines of $AUD185k were dished out last year by the DP World Tour as punishment for signing on with LIV.
