McIlroy doesn't see logic in Mickelson's LIV-PGA comments

Rory McIlroy disagrees with Phil Mickelson's recent take on the LIV Golf series overtaking the PGA TOUR in popularity.

Lefty said he believes he's on the "winning side" of golf's current divide and sees the PGA TOUR trending downward.

"I don't agree with what Phil said last week," McIlroy said, per ESPN's Mark Schlabach. "I understand why he said it because of the position he is in, but I don't think anyone that takes a logical view of the game of golf can agree with what he said."

McIlroy continued: "I guess for them to be talking the way they are, it's bold. I think there's a ton of propaganda being used and all sorts of stuff. I certainly don't see the PGA TOUR trending downward at all. All the talent; 95% of the talent is here. You've got people like Tom Kim coming through, (who is) the future of our game."

McIlroy is part of a star-studded field at the CJ Cup this weekend at Congaree Golf Club. The tournament features 15 of the top 20 players in the Official World Golf Ranking.

World No. 5 Jon Rahm, who's in the CJ Cup field as well this week, is on McIlroy's side about Mickelson's remarks.

"Man, I love Phil, but I don't know what he's talking about," Rahm said. "I really don't know why he said that. ... I think there's some great changes being made and great changes for the players on the TOUR. I truly don't know what drove him to say something like that."

Mickelson has been at the center of LIV drama since the breakaway circuit's inception. The six-time major winner was suspended in March for his incendiary comments about the PGA TOUR and is involved in the ongoing antitrust lawsuit between the two sides.