Rory McIlroy Sparks Controversy with Champions Tour Comments

Rory McIlroy has stirred controversy with golfing great Bob Estes after making disparaging remarks about the Champions Tour ahead of this week's The Players Championship.

Estes Claps Back

However, Estes, who has claimed four PGA Tour victories, was quick to retort. The veteran golfer clapped back with a tweet: "I think Rory Mc thinks most of us play the @ChampionsTour because we have to... We play the Champ Tour because we still love golf, the camaraderie and we love to compete."

Els' Perspective

Ernie Els offered a different take on similar sentiments he had as a younger player. Taking to social media, Els posted: "Interesting to read @McIlroyRory comments today. At 35 years old I was also bulletproof saying things about not playing past 50. "I'm 55 now and laughing at my comments from back then. @ChampionsTour golf is so fulfilling with a great bunch of players we all grew up together from junior golf. Our sponsors and partners are wonderful companies and people. Competition is a powerful tool!"

These comments come in light of McIlroy expressing his doubts about joining the Champions Tour in the future, reports the Irish Mirror. McIlroy's stance may be interpreted as slighting current players when he implied to journalists (as reported by the Irish Star): "I think when I've achieved everything I want to achieve in the game and I get to the point where I don't think I can maybe do that anymore. I'd also like to walk away with a little bit left in the tank. I don't want to be out there embarrassing myself."

"I'd like to walk away maybe a little before I should. Put it that way. There's always one more, but that's okay. I think if you can come to terms with that and walk away on your own terms, then that's a good thing... I will not play Champions Tour golf. Look, I've said a lot of absolutes in my time that I've walked back, but I do not envision playing Champions Tour golf. Something has went terribly wrong if I have to compete at golf at 50."