'I feel like I have that friend back' - Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy end feud at US Open following row over LIV Golf
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Published 28/06/2023 at 21:49 GMT
Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy were once close friends - until the former joined LIV Golf. The latter was vocal in his criticism about the organisation and the friendship, therefore, broke down. However, following the shock merger between LIV Golf, the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, Garcia has revealed that he has made up with McIlroy. "We talked and we had a great conversation," he said.
'I gained a friend back' - Garcia ends his feud with McIIroy
Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy resolved their differences at the US Open and are now friends again, the 2017 Masters champion has revealed.
McIlroy had been vocal in his opposition to the breakaway LIV Golf, hitting out at players – including Garcia – who had joined the organisation.
Earlier this month, the PGA Tour and DP World Tour agreed a shock merger with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which is behind LIV Golf.
Garcia said: "I wish this would have happened a year and a half ago.
"To give you an example - it wasn't because of the merger, but the US Open was a great event for me.
“I feel like I played well, but more than anything because I gained a friend back, a friend that I kind of felt like I lost in the last year or so.
“We talked and we had a great conversation, and I feel like I have that friend back and that to me means a lot.”
Garcia revealed McIlroy had a friendly interaction with his wife Angela during the US Open, where Garcia finished 27th.
"I had been thinking about [rekindling the friendship] for a while but I wasn't totally sure,” he said.
"But then I saw that reaction from him and it kind of gave me the incentive to get closer and we had a great chat.
"I think that at the end of the day, the important thing is that we got together and talked; we were two friends that wanted to get back to that spot.
"Like I said, no doubt it was the saddest part of all of this, these friendships turning sour."
McIlroy and Garcia were part of Team Europe at the 2021 Ryder Cup when the United States secured a 19-9 win.
The 2023 Ryder Cup takes places in Italy later this year.
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