McIlroy had been one of the biggest critics of the Saudi-backed breakaway tour.

But less than two years after branding Mickelson’s claim that he was using the Saudis to leverage the PGA Tour as “naive, selfish, egotistical, ignorant,” the Co Down man admits that LIV has “exposed the flaws in the system”, adding that he’d play LIV Golf events if the breakaway tour became more like cricket’s Indian Premier League.

Today’s Sport News in 90 Seconds – 4th January

Mickelson, who was teased by McIlroy over his gambling, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to comment on the Holywood star’s appearance on Sky’s ‘Stick to Football’ podcast yesterday.

Commenting on McIlroy saying that LIV had exposed flaws in the PGA Tour model, Mickelson wrote: “This quote and the many others made today by Rory probably weren’t easy to say. Let’s not use this as an opportunity to pile on.

“Rather, it’s time for me and others to let go of our hostilities and work towards a positive future.

“[Jon] Rahm’s signing is turning into a bridge to bring both sides together, as evidenced by the many comments today and a month ago about changing the rules for the Ryder Cup so Jon and others can play, so let’s use it as such.

“Until an agreement is reached, it will be business as usual for both sides, but hopefully without the needless disdain.”

McIlroy and Mickelson have traded barbs since the left-hander signed for LIV Golf.

In February 2022, the Northern Ireland star lashed out at Mickelson over his comments to the Firepit Collective website when he admitted that despite considering the Saudis “scary motherfuckers to get involved with”.

Mickelson claimed he was the key architect behind the LIV Golf League because he hoped the plan would generate leverage in future negotiations with the PGA Tour.

Asked to comment on Mickelson’s remarks to journalist Alan Shipnuck, McIlroy said: “I don’t want to kick someone while he’s down obviously, but I thought they were naive, selfish, egotistical, ignorant.

“A lot of words to describe that interaction he had with Shipnuck. It was just very surprising and disappointing, sad.

“I’m sure he’s sitting at home sort of rethinking his position and where he goes from here.”

The about-turn by the PGA Tour and the announcement of the framework agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund on June 6 has turned the sport upside down.

The December 31 deadline to reach an agreement has been extended, and McIlroy, who resigned from the PGA Tour’s policy board on November 15 last year, now admits that he was wrong on many LIV Golf topics.

“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,” McIlroy said on Sky’s ‘Stick to Football’ podcast.

“We all turn professional 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.”

He added: “Ultimately, you can say what you want and do what you want, but at the end of the day, you’re not going to be able to change people’s minds.

“You’re never going to make them decide based on what you say. I wouldn’t say I’ve lost the fight against LIV, but I’ve just accepted the fact that this is part of our sport now.”

Having previously said he would retire “if LIV Golf was the last place to play golf on earth”, McIlroy now says he’d play the upstart tour if it became more like cricket’s Indian Premier League.

“I would love LIV to turn into the IPL of golf,” said the world number two.

“They take two months of the calendar. You go and do this team stuff and it’s a bit different and is a different format.

“If they were to do something like that I would say ‘yeah that sounds like fun’ because you are working within the ecosystem.”

McIlroy, who has said he’d like to see the Ryder Cup rules changed to allow the likes of new LIV Golf signing Jon Rahm to continue to play for Europe, did not criticise the Spaniard’s move.

“Jon is smart and sees things coming together at some point,” McIlroy said of a potential merger between the rival tours.

“He said, ‘OK, I will take a lot of upfront money – which is his prerogative – and if things come together, I will play LIV for a year, come back on the tour and play team golf on the fringes’.

“It is a smart business move.”

McIlroy added: “I hope everyone comes back together. You have got guys on both sides that don’t want it to happen. The LIV guys don’t want to come back to play on the PGA Tour because they don’t think they have been treated very well.

“Some of the PGA Tour guys don’t want to see those other guys.

“People need to put their egos and feelings aside and come back together, and we all move forward because that would be a good thing for golf.”

McIlroy took a dig at Mickelson last summer after the six-time major champion was forced to deny claims he tried to bet on a Ryder Cup while playing.

“At least he can bet on the Ryder Cup this year because he won’t be a part of it,” McIlroy quipped after his opening round at the FedEx St Jude Championship last August.