McIlroy supports LIV players returning to PGA Tour despite past rivalry

Rory McIlroy has stated that he would support the return of LIV Golf players to the PGA Tour, signaling a potential shift as the breakaway league faces mounting financial and structural challenges.

The six-time major champion, who was among LIV’s most outspoken critics since its launch in 2022, told Bloomberg that bringing former defectors back would benefit the business of professional golf. “I think a rising tide lifts all boats. And I think having some of these players back is beneficial for the business of the tours, absolutely,” McIlroy said when asked if he would vote in favor of their reinstatement.

McIlroy criticized how LIV utilized its funding, which originated from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund before the entity withdrew its backing earlier this year. He suggested the organization wasted significant capital that could have been used more strategically, such as partnering with existing governing bodies, rather than simply enriching players who were already high earners.

“LIV had probably half of a good idea that was executed pretty poorly,” the world number two said. “They certainly could have done better things with it.”

However, he remains skeptical about LIV’s immediate future. With two-time major winner Jon Rahm opting out and the DP World Tour announcing it will not allow LIV-registered players to compete in the 2027 season, McIlroy believes the circuit is struggling to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.

“It looks like every day that goes by, there’s another player that was on LIV who says that they’re not going to rejoin for LIV 2.0,” McIlroy noted. “So I think it is going to be very difficult for them to get out of this Chapter 11 bankruptcy and go forward.”

He added that even if LIV survives, it is unlikely to pose the same level of threat to the traditional golf order that it once did.

Reflecting on his own stance, McIlroy explained that he and Tiger Woods opposed LIV because they felt it would fracture the game. Both players had significant interests to protect, particularly regarding the launch of TGL, the league which requires PGA Tour membership.

McIlroy also acknowledged the personal cost of the split, admitting he lost friendships with former European Ryder Cup teammates who moved to LIV. He attributed the drift to a lack of shared tournament schedules and eligibility issues rather than animosity.

“We had a difference of opinion on the future of golf but I don’t think that’s something to lose friends over, but we also just didn’t see each other anymore,” he said.