0 
0 Rory McIlroy has called players who join the LIV Golf Series “pretty duplicitous”.
Brooks Koepka became the latest PGA Tour player to sign on with the Saudi-funded league following rumours the four-time major champion would depart.
McIlroy, a strong supporter of the PGA Tour, said he did not expect the former world No.1 to defect.
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“Am I surprised? Yes, because of what he said previously,” he said.
“I think that’s why I’m surprised at a lot of these guys, because they say one thing and then they do another and I don’t understand.
“I don’t know if that’s for legal reasons – I have no idea – but it’s pretty duplicitous on their part to say one thing and then do another thing. In public and in private.”
Koepka was one of the first players to denounce a rival league in March 2020, telling AP, “I have a hard time believing golf should be about just 48 players.”
British Open organisers have also confirmed players who joined the new Saudi-funded league will still be allowed to compete at next month’s major.
The US Open had allowed players who were banned by the PGA Tour for signing up to the LIV Golf Series to play at last week’s tournament.
“Players who are exempt or have earned a place through qualifying for the 150th Open in accordance with the entry terms and conditions will be able to compete in the championship at St Andrews,” R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said in a statement.
The world’s oldest major championship begins July 14.
“The Open is golf’s original championship and since it was first played in 1860, openness has been fundamental to its ethos and unique appeal,” Slumbers said.
Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson headlined LIV Golf’s inaugural tournament held this month outside London and won by former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel, who collected $6.85 million. The league is bankrolled by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Mickelson, a six-time major champion who has become the face of the LIV league, missed the cut at The Country Club last week. He won the British Open in 2013.
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