Rory McIlroy has called on LIV golfers to take a leading role in mending the fractured relationship between the sport’s rivalling tours.
The four-time major winner has been one of the most outspoken critics of the Saudi-funded series.
“I would just say the ball is in their court,” McIlroy told BBC Sport.
“If they want to come to the table and try to play nicely within the sandbox that’s already created, the opportunity is there.”
Since the new series launched in June, tensions have been high between LIV and the established PGA and European Tours.
Three players and LIV Golf are proceeding with a lawsuit filed against the PGA Tour over its decision to suspend players who participated on the new circuit. Eight LIV golfers – including Phil Mickelson and Ian Poulter – have removed themselves from the case.
A vocal opponent of the new series, McIlroy has maintained there will always be scope for “peace talks” between the tours, but warned that now is not the best time to engage in such dialogue.
“Right now with two lawsuits going on, and how heightened the rhetoric has been, I think we just need to let it cool off a little bit,” he said.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen with this lawsuit. No-one’s going to want to talk to anyone when it’s hanging over the game, so I don’t know what happens there.
“I’ve probably said a few things that are maybe too inflammatory at times, but it just comes from the heart and how much I hate what this is doing to the game.
“It has been an ugly year [but] there’s a solution to everything.
“If we can send rockets to the moon and bring them back again and have them land on their own I’m sure we can figure out how to make professional golf cohesive again.”
