Andrew “Chubby” Chandler, the former manager and agent of golf superstar Rory McIlroy, has launched a pointed critique of his one-time client, describing McIlroy’s tendency to speak publicly as a significant risk.

In recent comments reported by U.K. golf outlets, including GolfMagic and Bunkered, Chandler did not hold back on his assessment of McIlroy’s media interactions.

“Rory talks too much, but he’s an absolute gift for the media,” Chandler said. “If he gets a microphone in his hands, he’s a liability in terms of saying anything. He’s more of a liability than the prime minister. For a while he was unbelievable (bad). Everything he said, he had to go back and apologize for a month later, including his marriage.”

The remarks highlight a recurring theme in Chandler’s past criticisms of McIlroy, whom he managed during the early part of his professional career before their professional relationship ended. Chandler has previously accused McIlroy of becoming overly vocal as a “mouthpiece” for the PGA Tour, particularly during the turbulent period of golf’s divide involving LIV Golf, where McIlroy emerged as one of the most prominent critics of the upstart tour.

The narrative of McIlroy’s outspokenness has drawn fire from the other side of the divide as well. In early 2023, amid heated exchanges over LIV Golf’s viability and McIlroy’s repeated criticisms of the breakaway league, one LIV Golf player anonymously fired back in a pointed jab: “Bottomline, Rory can’t cash the checks his big mouth writes.” The quote, reported by Pro Golf Weekly, captured the frustration among some LIV defectors who felt McIlroy’s verbal attacks on their decisions and the league’s future were bold but ultimately unsubstantiated as the circuit continued to attract talent and events.

A more recent example of McIlroy’s outspoken nature came just days ago ahead of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, when he weighed in on the ongoing dispute between Jon Rahm and the DP World Tour. Rahm, a LIV Golf player, rejected a proposed deal from the DP World Tour that would have waived future fines for conflicting events, dropped ongoing appeals, and required six tournament starts (instead of the standard four) to retain membership and Ryder Cup eligibility. Rahm called the offer “extortion” and insisted on sticking to four events while continuing his appeals.

McIlroy described the deal as “really generous” — “a much softer deal than what Brooks took to come back and play on the PGA Tour” — and expressed that it was “a shame” Rahm was the only one among nine LIV players to turn it down. He added that “the Ryder Cup is bigger than any one person,” downplaying concerns over Rahm’s potential ineligibility for the 2027 matches.

Chandler suggested that McIlroy’s habit of frequent public statements has led to repeated need for clarifications or apologies, extending even to personal matters such as references to his marriage. McIlroy, married to Erica Stoll since 2017 (with a brief filing for divorce in 2024 that was later reconciled), has occasionally touched on personal topics in interviews, though he generally maintains a private stance on family life.

The timing of Chandler’s latest comments comes on the eve of The Players Championship, one of the PGA Tour’s flagship events, where McIlroy will look to build momentum ahead of the 2026 Masters. McIlroy has faced scrutiny in recent years for outspoken views on golf’s landscape, including his role in negotiations and public criticisms of LIV Golf defectors.

Chandler’s history with McIlroy dates back to when the Northern Irishman burst onto the scene as a prodigy under ISM, Chandler’s management company. Their split occurred around 2011, after which McIlroy handled his representation differently.

Neither McIlroy nor his current team has immediately responded to Chandler’s latest remarks. The four-time major winner has often brushed off similar past criticisms from his ex-manager with humor or minimal comment.

As McIlroy prepares for the demanding TPC Sawgrass layout, the comments add another layer of narrative to a career defined by both extraordinary talent and occasional off-course controversy. Whether they impact his focus remains to be seen, but they underscore the ongoing tension between McIlroy’s public persona and those who once guided it — as well as lingering echoes from rivals who have long questioned if his words outpace his influence in golf’s fractured landscape.