Rory McIlroy's comments on LIV Golf stars at majors as Bryson DeChambeau beats him to US Open

Rory McIlroy agonisingly lost out on U.S. Open glory to Bryson DeChambeau - and the American’s presence on the LIV Golf circuit may make the defeat sting more, even if the PGA Tour star's stance has softened recently.

Through 71 holes, McIlroy and DeChambeau were level in a thrilling fourth-round finale to a gripping tournament. However, the Northern Irishman missed a close-range putt at 18, carding his third bogey in the final four holes to ensure the wait for an elusive fifth major title goes on.

McIlroy has been at the heart of the PGA Tour-LIV Golf divide. He has been one of the Saudi-backed circuit’s staunchest critics ever since it rose to prominence in 2022.

Last year, McIlroy declared the Masters and the three other majors - the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open and the Open Championship - should rise above any conversations about LIV Golf. Ahead of taking to Augusta National, the 35-year-old said: "Look, it’s a narrative and a storyline, but the Masters and the four major championships sit above all that noise, and that’s the way it should be this week."

Since those comments, his stance has softened amid merger discussions that could see the PGA Tour and LIV Golf come together. In December, McIlroy spoke candidly and openly about LIV Golf, acknowledging the Saudi-backed tour’s place in the sport’s new ecosystem.

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Rory McIlroy's miss for par on the 18th condemned him to an agonising defeat as Bryson DeChambeau won the U.S. Open

“I think what LIV has done, it’s exposed the flaws in the system of [golf], because we’re all supposed to be independent contractors and we can pick and choose what tournaments we want to play,” the four-time Major champion said.

“But I think what LIV and the Saudis have exposed is that if you’re going on a tour and you’re asking sponsors for millions of dollars to sponsor these events, and you’re not able to guarantee to the sponsors that the players are going to show up.

“I can’t believe the PGA Tour has done so well for so long. It’s exposed some flaws in the system that hopefully golf will have a look at more. If we’re going to ask these people for so much money, we need to be able to guarantee them what they’re getting.”

Back in January, McIlroy suggested he had taken too harsh a stance against LIV Golf. He admitted: “I think at this point, I was maybe a little judgmental of the guys who went to LIV Golf at the start, and I think it was a bit of a mistake on my part because I now realise that not everyone is in my position or in Tiger Woods' position.

“We all turn professionals to make a living playing the sports that we do, and I think that's what I realised over the last two years. I can't judge people for making that decision, so if I regret anything, it was probably being too judgmental at the start.”