Rory McIlory has responded to criticism from Kevin Kisner.
Speaking on the foreplaypod last week, Kisner, a fellow PGA Tour golfer as well as a commentator on NBC, talked about McIlroy's decision to play in the DP World India Championship: “That is such a dog s--t comment," referring to McIlroy's involvement as another "grow the game" initiate. "But I guess for the right price, we could all say that comment."
"He doesn’t want to globally expand in India," Kisner continued. "He wants to get his $10 million bucks and go play in India."
As the discussion continued, Kisner noted that many players likely got appearance fees, not just McIlroy and that he would likely have done it as well, had he been invited.
“They always seem to say the right things while they’re over there. As part of your appearance fee, here’s your script for altruism, and you need to mention these four lines in whatever interview you do throughout the week. Which is totally fine, I’d do it too, and all of us on this podcast would," Kisner said.
On Sunday in India, McIlroy finished tied for 42nd, 17 shots back of winner Eugenio Chacarra. He was then asked to respond to the Kis criticism.
"I didn't see that," McIlroy said. "I don't know why me being in India would be something Kis needs to comment on."
Kisner: That is such a dog sh!t comment, but I guess for the right price, we could all say that comment. He doesn’t want to globally expand in India, he wants to get his $10 million bucks and go play in India.
— Essentially Golf (@esg_2025) October 18, 2026
Rory: How would he know that?#RoryMcIlroy#KevinKisner#DPWICpic.twitter.com/xjOLUGCmq1
McIlroy was then asked a follow up about the appearance fee.
"Two things can be true at the same time, he said. "People can get paid to come play in a tournament but at the same time do it from a place of a genuine interest of 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."
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Rory McIlroy responds to appearance fee, 'grow the game' criticism from Kevin Kisner