Rory McIlroy’s response to former manager’s LIV Golf comments was odd

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Florida — Rory McIlroy did not shoot down his former manager hinting that the No. 2 golfer in the world could join LIV Golf.

And the Jupiter resident certainly had that opportunity during his news conference Wednesday before Thursday’s start of the Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches.

Even though that door was not completely shut, do not count on McIlroy soon popping Champagne corks on the 18th green with Greg Norman.

When asked about Andrew “Chubby” Chandler’s comments that his softening stance on the Saudi-backed league could be a sign he’s ready to join forces with LIV, McIlroy said: “Never know. He might know a few things. Who knows?”

He did have a smile on his face.

When told Chandler put those chances from good to 10%, McIlroy added to the intrigue.

“Somewhere in the middle maybe,” he said. “Who knows?”

Certainly, McIlroy was kidding. Or was he? He certainly made it difficult to gauge how serious he was. And by the smile on his face, that’s exactly what he intended.

But he didn’t completely dismiss LIV, and he’s aware his words matter and how they will be interpreted. What makes this more intriguing is it’s not as if he hasn’t spoken to the man who was his manager for the first four years of his professional career. McIlroy spoke to Chandler recently. He believes it was in the Middle East at the start of this year.

“I think he’s writing a book, so there is that,” McIlroy said.

Rory Mcllroy hits his tee shot on the 11th hole during the first round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Spyglass Hill. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports)

Still, McIlroy, who is from Northern Ireland, knows he made a lot of headlines with his comments.

So, the question remains. Is there a chance Rory makes the move that would rock the golf world?

Or he is saying the percentage is something like, oh, 11%?

Even that could be high.

What is clear is McIlroy’s opinion of Talor Gooch, the LIV golfer who continues to complain about being excluded from the Masters field.

McIlroy gave Gooch the benefit of the doubt for his comment that an asterisk should be attached to McIlroy’s career Grand Slam if he wins the Masters this year. But he was clear, if Gooch is unhappy he has not qualified — which he clearly is — he should have played more golf.

McIlroy compared how Jupiter’s Joaquin Niemann dealt with the frustration of not being in the Masters field. Niemann did something about it and traveled the world…