Seven active LIV Golf League players are set to tee it up at the Renaissance Club on Thursday – a notable occurrence considering it is a PGA Tour-sanctioned event.
Joining Rahm in the field are fellow LIV members Tyrrell Hatton, David Puig, Laurie Canter, Tom McKibbin, Adrian Meronk and Victor Perez.
They join a star-studded cast that includes four of the world’s top five players – McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Matt Fitzpatrick and Russell Henley.
While the Northern Irishman has been critical of players who decided join the breakaway tour in the past, he sees the benefit of having the world’s best players competing together at major championships.
“I’ve talked about wanting to have just all of the best players in the world play together,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
“Yeah, I guess this is a good – and it’s not as if this hasn’t been open to them before. It’s just because Valderrama (on the LIV Golf circuit) was always this week.
“Having Jon in this event is better for the event than him not being here, and obviously everyone else that’s here, as well. That’s a good thing.”
McIlroy revealed he spent the majority of the past seven weeks in Europe, enjoying some rest before starting his preparation for the links golf double that begins Thursday at the Scottish Open and ends at next week’s Open at Royal Birkdale, where he was recently spotted played a practice round.
“Birkdale was definitely just a scouting trip for The Open for sure. I would have liked to have not have it known that I was there but (Nick) Faldo couldn’t put his phone away,” McIlroy joked.
“I love Nick. In fairness, he’s great. I had a good time with him. He walked a few holes with me.”
McIlroy admitted he hasn’t always been a fan of the Renaissance Club, which took over as host of the Scottish Open in 2019, but he’s warmed to the venue over the years.
“When I first came here, I wasn’t enamored with the course or the place,” he admitted. “But as time has went on and I’ve played it more, I’ve started to like it more and appreciate the golf course a little bit more.
“It’s definitely become a great venue for this tournament.”
