Rory McIlroy has issued a withering assessment of Phil Mickelson's remarks about a proposed new breakaway golf tour.
Mickelson was last week reported to have admitted using the proposal as leverage against the PGA Tour.
The six-time major champion also made remarks about Saudi Arabia's human rights record.
The Saudi Golf League counts Greg Norman as one of its chief supporters and has approached the world's top players about joining.
Dozens were understood to have expressed an interest in the breakaway tour, which offers lucrative financial incentives and what is perceived to be a more favourable schedule.
However, Bryson DeChambeau has committed to the PGA Tour, having been rumoured to be set to depart for the new tour.
— Bryson DeChambeau (@b_dechambeau) February 20, 2022
Dustin Johnson has also refuted suggestions he would leave.
The number of players who have now refused overtures to move means the plans are 'dead in the water', according to McIlroy.
"Who’s left? Who’s left to go? I mean, there’s no one,” he said after a tie for 10th finish at the Genesis Invitational.
“Who else have you got to fill the field?
"I mean, Greg Norman would have to tee it up to fill the field.
"Like, I mean seriously, who else is going to do it? I don’t think they could get 48 guys.”
Referring to Mickelson's comments, reported last week, McIlroy did not pull any punches.
“I don’t want to kick someone while he’s down obviously, but I thought they were naive, selfish, egotistical, ignorant,”
“A lot of words to describe that interaction he had. It was just very surprising and disappointing, sad.
"I’m sure he’s sitting at home sort of rethinking his position and where he goes from here.”
The Holywood native also addressed the manner in which Saudi Golf League organisers have gone about their business.
“They’ve created rumours and spread rumours, tried to play one guy off another and said one thing to one manager and said a different thing to another manager,"
“Everyone’s questioning everyone else’s motives so they’re just kind of playing everyone off one another.
"I think it’s nice now that we all can sit down and say, look, we’re all on the same page here.”
