Rory McIlroy was called out by Kevin Kisner for citing "growing the game" and not money as his true motivation for competing in the DP World Tour India Championship this week.

McIlroy, currently ranked third in the Race to Dubai standings, has championed the growth of the game throughout his career and has been a major figure on the business side of the sport during recent turmoil. He stayed with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour over LIV Golf — which now encounters a potential shutdown as players transition look for new opportunities — speaking this week about LIV's downfall at a presentation upon his arrival in New Dehli.

He has long held an aversion to LIV Golf due to the turmoil that ensued upon its emergence. The league lured away top talent from the PGA Tour, creating a deep rift among players and officials.

The six-time major champion has since shifted his focus toward achieving a better work-life balance, expressing an intention to dedicate more time to his family and step back from the golf course. But, he's competing this week in India as the PGA Tour season came to a close in late August.

"I’ve always enjoyed playing a global schedule so I was excited to visit India for the first time last season to be part of the inaugural DP World India Championship,” McIlroy said recently about the tournament.

Kisner called him out, claiming that he has no intention of growing the game in India. Kisner believes he’s just there for a paycheck as McIlroy makes just his second start at the tournament.

“That is such a dog— comment, but I guess for the right price, we could all say that comment,” Kisner told the Fore Play podcast referring to McIlroy wanting to grow the game.

“He doesn’t want to globally expand in India, he wants to get his $10 million bucks and go play in India.”

Kisner zeroed in the inability for McIlroy to use driver at Delhi Golf Club, noting that it serves as the Tour star's primary strength. On the PGA Tour, McIlroy ranks second in driving distance with an average of 330.3 yards and 12th in club head speed at 123.85 mph.

“I know there’s a pile of guys that got paid for that event,” Kisner continued. “How else would you get that event in India with eight billion people in the middle of the city? And Rory’s not even hitting a driver this week. You think he wants to go play a tournament where he can’t use his number one weapon? So give me a break.”

McIlroy spoke on the Bloomberg panel for nearly half an hour, demonstrating his swing, criticizing LIV Golf, and expressing a willingness to welcome them back, saying, “I think a rising tide lifts all boats.”

“They always seem to say the right things while they’re over there, continued Kisner.

“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.

"I just find it hilarious when you can pop up and play an event where McIlroy can’t hit his driver, and all those guys show up, and nobody’s like, ‘alright, this is stupid’, whenever they can go play the sickest course in the world, and none of them show up. It’s just very odd to me.”