Although Rory McIlroy may eventually share Jon Rahm's optimism about the state of professional golf, he currently does not believe the sport is in its "golden era" -- as the Spaniard suggested on Tuesday.

At the Dubai Desert Classic, Jon Rahm said “we’re living in a golden era right now for golf,” which Rory McIlroy didn’t quite agree with.

Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm will go up against each other in Dubai this week, and the pair are in disagreement over the current state of men's professional golf amid the PGA Tour-LIV fallout

Jon Rahm remains optimistic that professional golf can reach an even “higher level” after years of turmoil, and he pointed Tuesday to at least two areas that he hopes could be cleared up in the interim.

Rory McIlroy has thrown shade at Jon Rahm's 'rose-tinted glasses' view that golf is in its 'golden era', despite the PGA Tour-LIV Golf division. Both McIlroy and Rahm are teeing up at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic this week, and Rahm didn't shy away from singing praises of the current state of golf, even with the tumult caused by rival factions.

Rory McIlroy has responded to Jon Rahm's comments that men's professional golf is currently in a 'golden era', but the two stars have differing views on the topic

DP World Tour star Tom McKibbin has been heavily linked with a move to the LIV Golf setup and Jon Rahm's team, and the pair are in action at this week's Dubai Desert Classic