St Andrews Golf Club announced that Tiger Woods, Paul Lawrie and Rory McIlroy were made honorary members of St. Andrews on the eve of the 150th Open.

“I warmly congratulate Tiger, Rory and Paul on becoming honorary members of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club,” St. Andrews captain Peter Foster said in a statement. “They have each made huge contributions to golf and played their part in inspiring millions to take up and follow the sport around the world.

“They are not only great champions but fantastic ambassadors for golf and have brought so much joy to so many young fans in particular. This is entirely fitting recognition for three such distinguished sporting figures, and I have no doubt they will continue to give exemplary service to the sport through their new roles in the club.”

Woods makes sense, given that he won two of his three Claret Jugs at St Andrews. Lawrie was more of a journeyman who lucked out when Jean van de Velde gagged on the 18th hole at Carnoustie in the 1999 edition. Yet, he is one of only two Scots to win the Open in the modern era, so we’ll give him a pass.

But the McIlroy selection is an absolute joke. He’s from Northern Ireland and a one-time Open winner whose lone victory didn’t even happen on Scottish soil (he won at Royal Liverpool in England).

So, what gives? Well, if you’ve been paying attention, it’s quite obvious.

McIlroy has been outspoken critic of LIV Golf, going as far as saying, “a win by a LIV golfer would be bad for the game.” The R&A hates LIV Golf.

Presto: Rory made an honorary member.

Put it this way: Justin Thomas would have gotten one too (for all his criticism) but he’s never even won a British Open title so it’d be too obvious.