LIV SUCKS FOR RORY AHEAD OF MASTERS

RORY McILROY says “it sucks” he is only able to face LIV stars four times a year in the Majors.

And the week before the Masters, the world No.2 said the split in golf is “not sustainable”.

The four-time Major winner has gone from a critic of the Saudi breakaway league to publicly calling for the two warring sides to be reunited. Only 13 LIV players – including defending champion and world No.3 Jon Rahm – will tee up in Augusta next week. There were 18 last year.

And McIlroy (inset) said: “It sucks as a competitor that I only get to see and compete against some of those guys four times a year.

“To not see the very best players in the world together more often is a shame for the overall game of golf and for fans that want to watch the pro game around the world.

“There needs to be a correction. What’s happening is not sustainable right now, so something needs to happen to try to bring it all back together.

“It’s certainly divided and what the framework and June 6th tried to do was unify the game which ultimately needs to happen. We’re not there yet.

“We’re probably still quite a long ways from it, but I would hope that in the future we can get there, unify the game and get the best players back together again.”

The Northern Irishman will tee up in the Valero Texas Open this week before making his 16th attempt to win the Masters next week.

McIlroy, who is approaching the 10th anniversary of his last Major win, said: “I feel good. My Major play has definitely improved a bit over the last few years.”