Following Jon Rahm's switch to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf, Rory McIlroy now fears that the game could become less relevant, adding that competing tours "divides the eyeballs that are on the game".
Rahm, the reigning Masters champion becomes the second current major winner on the LIV circuit after US PGA victor Brooks Koepka.
Explaining his move, the 29-year-old Spaniard said: "I made this decision because I believe it's the best for me and my family and everybody I've been able to talk to has been really supportive of me, so I'm very comfortable with my decision.
"I'm no stranger to hearing some negative things on social media or in media. It's part of what it is, we're public figures but you just learn to deal with it right? This certainly won't define who I am or change who I am."
In June of this year, the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf agreed to merge commercial operations under common ownership, with an initial deadline for such a merger on 31 December.
For McIlroy, who previously was at the forefront to opposing LIV's emergence, Rahm's high-profile switch is another example of more division within the game of golf.
He told Sky Sports: "My fear is that we continue down this path where we have competing tours and it divides the eyeballs that are on the game.
"Some people like LIV, the majority of people like the PGA Tour, but if LIV start to take a few players each and every year it's really going to be divided and that's no good for anyone.
"You're basically cannibalising yourself as a sport, sort of the same as what boxing has done with all the different organisations and a few other sports have as well. To me, having all the best golfers under the one umbrella is the best way forward because I think that's really what the public wants.
"The majors are already so big, but my fear is that if we keep going down this path then all the best players are only going to get together four times a year. That means golf is only going to be relevant four times a year and that's good for no one in the game."
"We need to get everyone back together and try to forget about what has happened in the past. Let bygones be bygones and we all move forward together - I think that's what's going to be the best thing for the professional game."
McIlroy also believes the rules on Ryder Cup eligibility will have to be rewritten in the wake of Rahm's move.
The County Down man stated on numerous occasions that he did not think LIV players should be available for selection for this year’s Ryder Cup in Rome, where he and Rahm played starring roles in helping Europe to a convincing victory.
However, the world number two believes the deal between the DP World Tour, PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has "legitimised" LIV and wants Rahm on Luke Donald’s side when they attempt to retain the trophy at Bethpage Black in 2025.
"Jon is going to be in Bethpage in 2025 so, because of this decision, the European Tour (DP World Tour) are going to have to rewrite the rules for the Ryder Cup eligibility, absolutely," said McIlroy.
"There’s no question about that – I certainly want Jon Rahm on the next Ryder Cup team.
"I’m going to miss competing against him week in and week out. He’s got so much talent, he’s so tenacious, he’s a great team-mate in the Ryder Cup.
"Is it disappointing to me? Yes. But the landscape of golf changed on June 6, when the framework agreement was announced and I think because of that it made the jump from the PGA Tour to LIV a little easier for guys.
"They let the first guys really take the heat and then this framework agreement legitimised basically what LIV was trying to do, then I think it’s made it easier now if that’s really what you want to do."
As things stand, Rahm will be eligible for the Ryder Cup as long as he remains a DP World Tour member, which requires him to play in four regular tournaments per season.
He will also earn points towards qualification through major championships, but faces fines and suspensions for playing in LIV tournaments without the required "conflicting event" releases from the DP World Tour.
Ahead of the 2023 match, McIlroy insisted that Europe would not miss their absent stalwarts, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter, who weren't considered for selection after defecting to LIV.
"It's certainly a little strange not having them around," he said. "But I think this week of all weeks, it’s going to hit home with them that they are not here. I think they are going to miss being here more than we’re missing them."
McIlroy was swift to defend his position when questioned on social media about his differing approach to those players and the 29-year-old Spaniard.
"Which is very true… we didn't NEED any of the others in Rome and we didn’t miss them," he said on X. "We’d certainly miss and need Jon at Bethpage."
Which is very true… we didn't NEED any of the others in Rome and we didn’t miss them. We’d certainly miss and need Jon at Bethpage.
— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) December 8, 2023
Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley was also bemused by Rahm's decision, and the Dubliner now feels that it is hard to take anyone for their word.
"It's a complete reversal of the position that he has stood very, very strongly on," said McGinley, speaking to Sky Sports.
"Jon came [out] very, very strongly in support of the tours, and came out strongly that this was not a good format, that he didn't enjoy it and didn't see any future in it, and that he was chasing his own career and titles on the PGA Tour, and titles on the DP World Tour, and obviously Ryder Cup.
"And he knows that by going here [it] was going to put a lot of that in jeopardy. Whether it does or not, we're going to have to wait and see.
"A number of players who have gone over to LIV have said the same thing, where they've said one thing and then done another, so who do you believe anymore?
"You can't believe anyone's word anymore because people reverse their decisions very quickly and, it seems, very easily."
