Padraig Harrington weighs in on Rory McIlroy’s comments slammed by Ernie Els

Padraig Harrington has come to the defense of Rory McIlroy following a controversial remark the Northern Irish golf star made about the Champions Tour. Fresh off his Masters victory on Sunday, which completed his career grand slam, McIlroy’s comments have drawn criticism.

Earlier in the year, the 35-year-old expressed dismissive views about the Tour, sparking irritation among many in the golf community.

Now, three-time major champion Harrington has weighed in, suggesting he gets where McIlroy is coming from and hinting that the Holywood-born golfer might find himself on the Tour as he ages.

“Rory’s already been playing competitively since he’s say, 10, anyway, so If you told him he has to play for another 20 years that would burn him out right now on the spot,” Harrington told the Golf Channel.

“So when he was kind of saying, ‘I don’t see myself playing in 15 years time’, well the reality is, that 15 years will come quick but it’s also a protection mechanism to say, ‘Hang on a second, this is going to last forever, I have an out’.

“But the out won’t ever come because Rory loves his golf. He’s a bit of a golf nerd, Rory, so he’s never going to give it up.”

McIlroy’s original comments came before the Players Championship in March, where he made it clear he had no plans to join the senior circuit. “Absolutely not,” McIlroy said, as per Belfast Live.

“I will not play Champions Tour golf. Look, I’ve said a lot of absolutes in my time that I’ve walked back, but I do not envision playing Champions Tour golf. Something has went terribly wrong if I have to compete at golf at 50.”

But Ernie Els, the seasoned golfer who’s embraced the senior circuit, couldn’t help but weigh in on McIlroy’s declaration through social media.

“Interesting to read @McIlroyRory comments today,” he posted. “At 35-years-old I was also bulletproof saying things about not playing past 50. I’m 55 now and laughing at my comments from back then. @ChampionsTour golf is so fulfilling with a great bunch of players we all grew up together from junior golf.”

Bob Estes, a four-time PGA Tour winner, didn’t hesitate to respond to McIlroy’s remarks either, posting on X: “I think Rory Mc thinks most of us play the @ChampionsTour because we have to… we play the Champ Tour because we still love golf, the camaraderie and we love to compete.”

Estes even took a jab at McIlroy’s involvement with the Tomorrow Golf League, which he co-founded with Tiger Woods, adding: “Something has gone terribly wrong if I have to play indoor simulator golf.”

This isn’t the first time Harrington has rallied to McIlroy’s defense on the topic. While at Newport Beach Country Club in March, he said: “We’ve heard a lot of people say that. I’ve never been happier than out here playing on the Champions Tour. So look, I think Rory will find that it’s likely it will change. There’s fun to be had out here.”

Similar to those on the PGA Tour, senior circuit players compete in year-round events and dedicated majors for those over 50. However, golfers over 50 aren’t required to move over to the Senior Tour, and they can choose to continue competing on the PGA Tour and its majors if they wish to do so.

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• Source: NEWHD MEDIA