Rory McIlroy feels betrayed by LIV golfers

The Northern Irishman has been one of the most outspoken critics of the breakaway circuit that has lured some of golf's finest players away from their respective established tours.

These include Henrik Stenson, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter, all of who were McIlroy's former Ryder Cup teammates. Given the hostility shown towards players joining LIV Golf, it remains unclear if they will be able allowed to play in the 2023 event. Stenson, for example, was stripped of his Team Europe captaincy after he joined the Saudi-funded series.

"I think it is the first time in my life that I have felt betrayal, in a way," McIlroy told The Guardian.

"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?

"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."

The world number one also touched on the divisiveness that LIV Golf - in combination with the attitudes of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour - has created and expressed his concern for the future of the sport.

"This 'us versus them' thing has gotten way out of control already," added the four-time major winner.

"If the two entities keep doubling down in both directions, it is only going to become irreparable. We are going to have a fractured sport for a long time. That is no good for anyone."