Rory McIlroy fires back at Kevin Kisner after 'dogs---' comment about growing the game
Rory McIlroy Fires Back at Kevin Kisner’s Criticism of India Tour Appearance
In a clash of golf’s biggest names, U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy has answered a sharp rebuke from former PGA Tour winner Kevin Kisner regarding the former’s participation in the DP World India Championship. Kisner, who has been a four‑time winner on the PGA Tour, accused McIlroy of playing in India solely for the appearance fee and not for the sport’s growth. McIlroy, who finished tied for 42nd in the tournament, defended his decision, arguing that he was motivated by a genuine desire to promote golf in a rapidly expanding market.
The Spark
The dispute began when McIlroy spoke at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New Delhi before the DP World India Championship. In his remarks, the six‑time major winner said that playing in India would help grow golf in the country—a nation with a growing middle class and an untapped market for the sport. McIlroy’s comments were generic but clear: he wanted to make a positive impact.
Kisner, however, was unconvinced. In a recent episode of the “Fore Play” podcast, the former champion dismissed McIlroy’s statements as a “dog sh‑t comment.” He argued that McIlroy was motivated only by a hefty appearance fee, describing it as “10 million bucks” and implying that the Irishman was “playing for money, not for a global expansion.”
Kisner added that McIlroy’s presence in India was more about “scripted altruism” than genuine interest, noting that he was asked to mention specific lines in interviews. The former PGA star concluded that he could understand why players might accept lucrative offers, but he found it odd that top competitors would skip the world’s most challenging courses in favor of a more modest event in a developing country.
McIlroy Responds
After the tournament’s final round on Sunday, McIlroy spoke to The Mirror and addressed Kisner’s claims. He said he had not seen the criticism before the event, and that he was not surprised by the reaction. “I didn’t see that,” McIlroy told the paper. “I don’t know why me being in India would make Kis need to comment on that.”
He went on to explain that being paid an appearance fee does not preclude a genuine interest in promoting the sport. “Two things can be true at the same time,” McIlroy said. “People can get paid to come and play at a tournament, but at the same time, do it from a place of a genuine interest in trying to bring the sport to another country, a developing country, a country where the middle class in India is larger than the whole population of the United States. It’s a huge market for golf.”
McIlroy’s own transparency about the appearance fee—an undisclosed sum that helped fund the event’s high-profile roster—underscores his willingness to be open about the financial aspects of his participation.
The Result of the Event
The DP World India Championship, held in Gurgaon near Delhi, saw McIlroy finish tied for 42nd among a field of 78 players. While not a podium finish, the experience was part of a broader strategy to expose Indian audiences to world‑class golf and to encourage grassroots participation.
Kisner, meanwhile, remains skeptical. He has expressed his belief that many top players accept lucrative invitations simply for money, citing the disparity between prize money and appearance fees. Whether McIlroy’s motives will change remains to be seen, but the former Irish star has made it clear that he intends to use his platform to help grow the game in emerging markets.
Looking Ahead
The DP World Tour has already signaled its intent to expand its presence in India, and McIlroy’s participation is a key element of that plan. With the next India Championship scheduled for 2025, golf’s major players will be watching to see how the sport develops in one of the world’s fastest‑growing economies. In the meantime, McIlroy’s comments suggest that for him, financial rewards and a genuine love of golf can—and should—coexist.