Rory McIlroy has a vague message for LIV players who don’t want to return to the PGA Tour
Like everyone else, Rory McIlroy has seen quotes from LIV Golf as players on the rebel tour, which recently lost support from the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, are working to figure out what the future holds for them and their journey.
Bryson DeChambeau told multiple outlets this week, including ESPN again Sports Illustratedto focus on growing his YouTube channel while playing in “self-styled” tournaments when LIV folds. DeChambeau told Skratch that it will be up to PGA Tour members to decide if he can rejoin the PGA Tour and what the punishment will be. DeChambeau also noted that the Tour’s current policy governing players’ creation of social media content at tournaments is another obstacle. Put plainly, DeChambeau and his team have spoken to the PGA Tour, but he may not want to come back. Thomas Pieters said if LIV Golf leaves, he will not return to the PGA Tour. Anirban Lahiri said The Times of London that he knows at least “a dozen” players who would rather quit than join the PGA Tour.
For McIlroy, all these quotes are telling.
“I think I said at the beginning, maybe I was too judgmental of the guys who went because I was seeing it from my perspective and maybe not seeing it from other points,” McIlroy said on Friday after his second round at the Truist Championship. “But again, I’m not going to judge anyone for not wanting to play on the PGA TOUR.
“But … if you want to be a very competitive golfer, this is the place to be. And if you don’t want to play here, I think that says something about you.”
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp said he currently has no plans to reunite LIV players if the league goes out of business after 2026. It’s not something he has to worry about right now as LIV works to secure funding for 2027 and beyond. Since taking over, Rolapp has been clear that he wants to do whatever is best on the PGA Tour. That’s why he created the Limited Returning Members Program to welcome Brooks Koepka back to LIV in January, albeit with a heavy financial penalty. But Rolapp also recognizes that the PGA Tour membership has scars from golf breaks that he doesn’t have, and he’ll have to walk the line between doing what’s best for the business and keeping his membership happy.
McIlroy wants to make the best of the PGA Tour lineup as it enters its most profitable season. But the reigning Masters champion also knows the potential consolidation process won’t be quick.
“It’s a question if they want to come back. Obviously, we’ve seen the quotes in the last few days,” McIlroy said. “Again, it all depends on what happens at LIV. But if it’s a situation where they have the opportunity to come back and play a traditional tour, you know, I think Brian Rolapp said whatever makes this tour strong, whatever makes the DP World Tour strong, I think everybody should be open to that. That’s just good business practice.
“But again, I think there’s going to be a lot of bridges to cross to get there.”
McIlroy admits that all this merger talk doesn’t work if LIV Golf, which is looking for outside investment, goes ahead in 2027. While DeChambeau’s contract expires after 2026, many players, including Jon Rahm, are under contract with LIV for several more seasons. So, if there is a LIV Golf, that’s where most of their golf will be played.
On the subject of LIV’s future, McIlroy knows the fat lady hasn’t sung yet. But now that PIF has announced it will withdraw funding, it’s certainly warming up. LIV may continue beyond 2026, but it will take a different form than it did five years ago.
And that means everything to the six-time major league champion.
“It doesn’t mean that LIV is going to go away. They’re going to go and try to find another way to invest, whatever it is. But when one of the wealthiest wealth funds in the world thinks you’re too expensive for them, that kind of means something,” McIlroy said with a laugh.
