At the Dubai Desert Classic, Jon Rahm said “we’re living in a golden era right now for golf,” which Rory McIlroy didn’t quite agree with.

Rory McIlroy was asked about his reaction to Tom McKibbin's alleged decision to sign with LIV Golf, and his answer was nearly 3 minutes long.

Northern Ireland's Tom McKibbin consulted the world No. 3, who advised him to accept the PGA Tour card but the 22-year-old appears to be going to the rival circuit.

Rory McIlroy believes LIV Golf bound Tom McKibbin is “giving up a lot to not really benefit that much” including an imminent chance to reach the world’s Top-10 if he leaves the PGA Tour.

All the while, McIlroy will attempt to win a fifth career major after a 10-year drought filled with close calls. Recently, he has had second-place finishes at the past two U.S. Opens and one runner up at the 2022 Masters. There was also a heartbreaking third place behind winner Cam Smith at the 150th Open at St. Andrews.

Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm will go up against each other in Dubai this week, and the pair are in disagreement over the current state of men's professional golf amid the PGA Tour-LIV fallout

Rory McIlroy has thrown shade at Jon Rahm's 'rose-tinted glasses' view that golf is in its 'golden era', despite the PGA Tour-LIV Golf division. Both McIlroy and Rahm are teeing up at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic this week, and Rahm didn't shy away from singing praises of the current state of golf, even with the tumult caused by rival factions.

Although Rory McIlroy may eventually share Jon Rahm's optimism about the state of professional golf, he currently does not believe the sport is in its "golden era" -- as the Spaniard suggested on Tuesday.

Tom McKibbin looks set to make the move to LIV Golf by joining Jon Rahm's Legion XIII team for 2025, and the Northern Irishman's countryman Rory McIlroy has had his say