Rory McIlroy has questioned why players would not want to return to play on the PGA Tour amid uncertainty over the future of LIV Golf, bluntly saying “if you don’t want to play here, I think that says something about you”.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) confirmed last month that it will end its funding for LIV Golf at the end of the 2026 season, with the breakaway league now searching for alternative long-time investment to secure its future.
Speaking after he surged into contention at the Truist Championship on Friday with a second-round 67, McIlroy was asked for his take on the LIV situation and the potential pathways back for players to the established tours.
“It’s a question if they do want to come back,” said McIlroy.
“Obviously we have seen the quotes over the last few days. And, you know, it seems like some of the guys, if… again, it all depends on what happens to LIV.
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Rory McIlroy hit a 393-yard drive after bouncing along the cart path during the second round of the Truist Championship
“If it is a scenario where they have the option to come back and play on the traditional tours, I think [PGA Tour CEO] Brian Rolapp has said anything that makes this tour stronger, anything that makes the DP World Tour stronger, I think everyone should be open to that.
“That’s just good business practice.
“But again, I think there’s going to be a lot of sort of bridges to cross to get there, just because, you know, obviously the guys over there are under contract and if they are able to keep it going and get a schedule together next year, it seems like those guys are still going to play the majority of their golf on LIV, in whatever form it takes.”
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Sky Sports reporter Jamie Weir explains what is next for LIV golfers after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) confirmed it will end its funding at the end of the 2026 season
McIlroy, originally an arch critic of the LIV breakaway in 2022 before subsequently softening his stance, added: “I was probably too judgemental with the guys that went because I was seeing it from my point of view and maybe not seeing it from other points of view.
“I’m not going to judge anyone for not wanting to play on the PGA Tour.
“I don’t know, does that mean that they go play DP World Tour, maybe; if that’s a pathway, that would make the DP World Tour stronger, and I would be delighted with that because that’s my home tour at the end of the day.
“But If you want to be the most competitive golfer you can be, this is the place to be. And if you don’t want to play here, I think that says something about you.”
Rory McIlroy agrees ‘everyone should be open to that’ if LIV player returns will make the established tours stronger
McIlroy also took aim at LIV’s hope of survival under different backing.
“It’s never been for me and, look, it doesn’t mean that LIV is going to go away,” he added.
“They’re going to go and try and find alternative investment, whatever that may look like.
“But when one of the wealthiest sovereign wealth funds in the world thinks that you’re too expensive for them, that sort of says something.”
‘It’s really if the players want me back’ – what have leading LIV golfers said about future?
Sky Sports understands that several LIV players have sounded out both the DP World Tour and PGA Tour over the possibility of being reinstated.
Speaking earlier this week, Bryson DeChambeau – one of LIV’s biggest names – said he will focus on his YouTube channel if LIV Golf fails over a potential return to the PGA Tour.
“I think, from my perspective, I’d love to grow my YouTube channel three times, maybe even more,” DeChambeau, who has 2.69m subscribers on the streaming platform, told ESPN.
“I would love to. I’d love to do a bunch of dubbing in different languages, giving the world more reason to watch YouTube. And then I’d love to play tournaments that want me.”
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Jon Rahm explains the agreement he has reached with the DP World Tour regarding his return from LIV Golf
In later comments, DeChambeau said on a potential return to the PGA Tour: “It’s really about whether the membership wants me back and if they just want me back. That’s what it’s about.
“I don’t even think it’s Brian Rolapp or anybody like one of the top executives, it’s really if the players want me back and if not, then I understand that.”
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Jon Rahm, whose LIV contract runs beyond this season, said of the series’ future: “As the future of the league goes, I think that’s obviously a question for the business people. We want to be here. It’s been a lot of fun. I want to keep competing. I want to keep sharing some time with them.
“But only time will tell. Scott [O’Neil, LIV’s CEO] and his team have a lot of hard work to do, but obviously, they’re experienced in the area, and that’s why they’ve been chosen to take this role.”
Watch the Truist Championship throughout the week live on Sky Sports. Coverage of round three begins at 5pm, Saturday, on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract.
