'It's A Good First Step' - McIlroy Gives Update On Garcia Friendship
McIlroy and Garcia's relationship completely broke down following the inception of LIV Golf

Rory McIlroy says he's taken "a good first step" towards mending his fractured friendship with Sergio Garcia.
The Northern Irishman was a groomsman at Garcia's wedding to Angela Akins before the inception of LIV Golf drove a massive wedge between the pair, who found themselves on opposite sides of the schism that rocked the men's professional game.
We reported last July that there had been a "complete deterioration" in the relationship, while as recently as January this year McIlroy said there was "no way" they could rekindle their friendship.
However, after the shock news that the PGA Tour had agreed to merge with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia that bankrolls LIV Golf, Garcia revealed he and McIlroy were on better terms following peace talks at the US Open.
Referring to McIlroy, the Spaniard said: "It wasn't because of the merger, but the US Open a week and a half ago, it was a great event for me. Not obviously you would say why. I finished 27th. Not only because of that. I feel like I played well.
“But more than anything, because I gained a friend back, a friend that I kind of felt like I lost in the last year or so. We talked and we had a great conversation, and I feel like I have that friend back, and that to me means a lot. That's a very positive thing."
Garcia also paid tribute to his wife, who acted as the catalyst in ending the feud, adding: "Angela and Rory, they said hi to each other at the US Open and then there was a nice text from Rory to her and that kind of gave me the go ahead to reach out to him.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
"I had been thinking about it for a while but I wasn’t totally sure. But then I saw that reaction from him and it kind of gave me the incentive to get closer and we had a great chat."
Following his victory at the Scottish Open, McIlroy was asked where things stood with Garcia from his perspective.
"I'd say, yeah, we've talked, which is a first step," McIlroy said. "There's things that we both think we probably could have done differently, and there's a lot that's went into it.
"You know, it's good that we're at least talking again. It's a first step. I wouldn't say we are all the way there but we are -- it's a good first step."
A lifelong golf fan, Andy graduated in 2019 with a degree in Sports Journalism and got his first role in the industry as the Instruction Editor for National Club Golfer. From there, he decided to go freelance and now covers a variety of topics for Golf Monthly.
Andy took up the game at the age of seven and even harboured ambitions of a career in the professional ranks for a spell. That didn’t pan out, but he still enjoys his weekend golf at Royal Troon and holds a scratch handicap. As a side note, he's made five holes-in-one and could quite possibly be Retief Goosen’s biggest fan.
As well as the above, some of Andy's work has featured on websites such as goal.com, dailyrecord.co.uk, and theopen.com.
What's in Andy's bag?
Driver: Callaway Mavrik Sub-Zero (9°)
3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (15°)
Driving iron: Titleist U500 (17°)
Irons: Mizuno mp32 (4-PW)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM9 (50°, 54° and 58°)
Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron Newport 2.5
Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
-
Cognizant Classic Leaderboard: Jake Knapp Holds Joint Lead In Bid Second PGA Tour Title
The final round of the Cognizant Classic is sure to be an exciting one as a tightly-bunched leaderboard chases overnight frontrunner, Jake Knapp at PGA National
By Mike Hall Last updated
-
Who Is Jake Knapp's Girlfriend? Meet Makena White
Find out more about Makena White - the Canadian woman Knapp has been in a relationship with since August 2023...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Arnold Palmer Invitational Prize Money Payout 2025
Many of the world's best players compete for one of the largest prize money payouts of the PGA Tour season
By Mike Hall Published
-
Rory McIlroy Reveals His Favorite Golf Club Of All Time
The four-time Major winner has used various clubs from multiple brands throughout his career and, at Torrey Pines, McIlroy revealed his favorite model of all time
By Matt Cradock Published
-
'I’m A Huge Fan Of Rory But He Is Angering Me’ - Johnson Wagner Critical Of McIlroy’s 'Get Over It' Comments
Johnson Wagner was angered by Rory McIlroy's latest "get over it" comments, and feels the Northern Irishman is "trying to get his way in every way" in how the future of men's pro golf looks
By Paul Higham Published
-
‘Let’s Move Forward Together’ - Rory McIlroy In Passionate Plea For PGA Tour-LIV Golf Reunification
The World No.3 has urged togetherness as a deal between the PGA Tour and PIF appears to draw closer
By Mike Hall Published
-
Genesis Invitational Prize Money Payout 2025
Tiger Woods is one of a star-studded field competing for one of the largest prize money payouts of the PGA Tour season
By Mike Hall Published
-
Huge TV Numbers Generated By Rory McIlroy's Pebble Beach Win Buck Recent PGA Tour Trend
Rory McIlroy's victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am was reportedly the most-watched non-Major and non-Players broadcast for over a year
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'It Seemed Like It Was Pointed At Me' - Rory McIlroy Responds To Charley Hoffman's PGA Tour Letter
The four-time Major champion gave his view on the letter sent to PGA Tour membership from Charley Hoffman, which he felt was aimed his way
By Elliott Heath Published
-
'I Think Really Good Venues Are A Big Part Of The Storyline' - Rory McIlroy Singles Out One Aspect For New Look PGA Tour
Sitting in contention at Pebble Beach, McIlroy had nothing but praise for the course, claiming venues like it are far more interesting than 'a run of the mill TPC'
By Matt Cradock Published