06 February 2023 , 07:32
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Rory McIlroy is set to play a big role in Netflix's behind the scenes PGA Tour series 'Full Swing' which hits TV screens later this month. McIlroy was the major absentee from the initial list of players set to feature on the season-long fly-on-the-wall programme.
The Northern Irishman then made a surprise - but brief - appearance on the show's recent trailer, but McIlroy's involvement was once again heavily played down. The show's executive producer Chad Mumm however has revealed an exciting update for golf fans ahead of next week's release.
Speaking exclusively to Mirror Sport , Mumm revealed that McIlroy is set to play a more prominent role than first expected after his monumental role on and off the golf course.
The executive producer confirmed initial reports surrounding Mcilroy refusing to be involved were true, but as the season went on the Northern Irishman finally got onside. Speaking on McIlroy's appearance in the trailer and involvement in the series, Mumm said: "We had to have a few surprises! That materialised during the season.
"We met with his team several times in the lead up to the show. They were very honest on his focus being on his golf this season, and potentially engaged with him in series two."
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Rory McIlroy enjoyed a remarkable 2022 on and off the course (Getty Images)The series is a highly anticipated one, following a year like no other in the world of golf due to the newfound rivalry between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. The Netflix cameras were there every step of the way to cover it, and this ignited McIlroy's involvement.
The four-time major champion has played a big role in golf's civil war, having been one of LIV biggest critics. This, in part with his incredible season on the course, made McIlroy are must for the Full Swing cameras, and Mumm was finally able to talk him round partway through the season.
He went on: "I sat down with him in the summer. We told him we needed his voice, there was no guarantee we could do this again and if he waits, people won't hear from him until 2024 at the earliest and now is the time, the golf world needs his voice. To Rory’s credit he was like ‘Yeah, I’m in’."
Will you be tuning into season one of Full Swing? Let us know in the comments section below.
Rory McIlroy initially turned down the chance to feature in the Netflix series (Getty Images)From then on McIlroy's involvement became an important one in the production of the show, with executive producer Mumm revealing the Northern Irishman went on to offer more access than any other player involved. "An hour later [after agreeing to be involved] he was wearing a microphone and walking around the locker room, having these private conversations that we were part of.
"He gave us more access in that period of time than we had got from anybody, it was incredible. He was always on our list, so give him a lot of credit for letting us in, because he certainly could have said no. From that moment on he was all in." Season one of Full Swing will be released on February 15 on Netflix.