Since LIV’s inception, Rory McIlroy has been heavily entangled in the discussion around the PIF’s involvement in men’s professional golf.

Rory famously called LIV “dead in the water” in the early days of the rival league’s presence and was outspoken in his criticism against the league and its players.

That all seemed to change when his friend and Ryder Cup teammate, Jon Rahm, joined LIV.

On the Stick to Football Podcast, calling Rahm “smart” for his decision.

“Jon Rahm hasn’t got any of the heat that the first guys got for going. It’s made it easier for guys to jump. I think Jon, he’s smart, and I think he sees things coming together at some point, so he’s thinking ‘O.K. I’ll take a lot of upfront money,’ which is his prerogative, he can absolutely do that and if things come together, ‘I’ll maybe play LIV for a year then come back to play on the Tour and play some team golf on the sort of fringes.”

He also said at a later date that he was “probably being too judgmental” in the initial stages of LIV’s arrival.

This week, while speaking at the RBC Canadian Open, McIlroy continued down a similar path, saying he wish he “hadn’t have gotten as deeply involved” in the LIV discussion.

“I think, in hindsight, I wish I hadn’t have gotten involved, or not ‘hadn’t have gotten involved,’ but hadn’t have gotten as deeply involved in it, and I’ve articulated that.”

“My whole thing is I’m just disappointed to what it’s done to — not to the game of golf, the game of golf will be fine — but men’s professional golf and this sort of divide we have at the minute. Hopefully we’re on a path to sorting that out and getting that to come back together, but, yeah, I mean, hindsight’s always 20/20, but in hindsight I wish I hadn’t have gotten as deeply involved as I have.”

McIlroy will tee it up at Hamilton this week. The last time the course hosted the Canadian Open, the Northern Irishman won by five shots.

More from the 19th Hole

LIV golfer, Richard Bland, is the rare golfer who’s gotten better as he’s aged. He notched his first European Tour win at the 2021 Betfred British Masters at the age of 48. Bland turned pro in 1996, and it took 478 starts for him to emerge victorious.

This week, Jamie Kennedy of Golf Digest posted a chart of just how far the Englishman has come in the late stages of his career.

One of the great charts in modern golf.

Richard Bland’s career earnings by age.

Made $7m in first 26 years as a pro.

Has now made over $12m in the last three years ? pic.twitter.com/Ikmnrk7XxJ

— Jamie Kennedy (@jamierkennedy) May 28, 2024

“Made $7m in first 26 years as a pro. Has now made over $12m in the last three years ?”.

Last week, Bland won the Senior PGA Championship, which is a major on the Champions Tour, in his first ever start on the circuit.

The win was an emotional one for the 51-year-old, as he dedicated the performance to his brother, Heath, who has cancer.

2024 KitchenAid Senior PGA Champion Richard Bland dedicates his victory to his brother Heath ??#SrPGAChamp pic.twitter.com/iR0spcTVF4

— KitchenAid Senior PGA Champ (@seniorpgachamp) May 26, 2024

After the win, Bland spoke with The Times, saying he envisions himself retiring in the next few years.

“Whenever I lose my spot on LIV, I think that will be me done, regardless of how I’m playing. I’ve got maybe another 18 months left and then I’ll cross that bridge.”

“I love what I do, I’ll never stop playing golf, but I’ve travelled the world without seeing an awful lot of it. I’d like to do that while I’m still fit and able, I’d like to go on golf trips with friends and just have fun without competing.”

Despite winning the Senior PGA Championship which usually comes with an exemption onto the Champions Tour, Bland will not be eligible for the Tour due to his affiliation with LIV.

Bland will tee it up next at LIV Houston next week and currently sits 25th in the individual standings.

More from the 19th Hole

“Based upon the totality of the evidence, my office cannot move forward in the prosecution of the charges filed against Mr. Scheffler.”

So began Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell, Wednesday, telling a judge that “Mr. Scheffler’s characterization that this was ‘a big misunderstanding’ is corroborated by the evidence.”

Accordingly, all charges against the 27-year-old have been dropped. Scheffler was facing four charges, most seriously, second degree assault on a police offer, in conjunction with his May 17 failure to stop when directed to by Detective Bryan Gillis as he attempted to enter Valhalla Golf Club prior to the second round.

O’Connell’s reference to “a big misunderstanding” alludes to Scheffler’s statement during the PGA Championship.

“It was a very chaotic situation, understandably so considering the tragic accident that had occurred earlier, and there was a big misunderstanding of what I thought I was being asked to do,” Scheffler’s statement read.

“The evidence we reviewed supports the conclusion that Detective Gillis was concerned for public safety at the scene when he initiated contact with Mr. Scheffler,” O’Connell said. “However, Mr. Scheffler’s actions and the evidence surrounding their exchange during this misunderstanding do not satisfy the elements of any criminal offenses.”

Following the hearing, Scheffler’s attorney, Steve Romines said, “The more evidence that comes out, the more it shows that Scottie was a victim here.” Romines told reporters eyewitness accounts contradicted Gillis’ assertion that he was dragged by Scheffler’s car.

Romines indicated Scheffler wants to “move on” and does not intend to pursue civil litigation.

In a statement following the decision, Louisville Metro Police Department stated

“We respect the County Attorney’s decision, and we respect the judicial process. LMPD will remain focused on our mission to serve the city of Louisville and mitigate violent crime. Videos and documents which were previously unreleased due to the judicial process will be made available, after appropriate redactions are made.”

Scheffler, who was due to be arraigned in court June 3, was not present at the proceedings Wednesday.

Update: Scheffler issued the following statement via his Instagram.

??? Scottie Scheffler issues an official statement on his personal Instagram about the entire situation regarding his arrest: pic.twitter.com/GuynIgqR6x

— TrackingScheffler (@SchefflerLegion) May 29, 2024