Rory McIlroy expresses doubts about LIV Golf’s future and discusses returning players to the PGA Tour in a podcast.
In a more than 60-minute podcast episode of the series ‘Stick to Football’ on the English channel ‘The Overlap’, Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy voiced skepticism about the long-term future of the LIV Golf League, funded by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). McIlroy shared his fundamental views on LIV Golf and explained why he has no personal connection to the league. He also addressed the possibility of former PGA Tour players making a return.
The five-time major champion and one of LIV Golf’s most vocal critics since its inception in 2022 speculated that the PIF might consider shutting down the new league entirely if it fails to generate profits in the long run. McIlroy said, ‘I don’t know, but if LIV can’t excite fans and they’ve put so much money into this project without returns, I don’t know how long they can sustain it.’
Although LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil announced in late October 2025 that the league had garnered sponsor revenues of around half a billion euros over the past ten months, it remains unclear when the league might turn a profit. The newsletter ‘Money in Sport’ forecasted in May 2025 that PIF’s investments could grow to five billion USD by the end of 2025. In the following October, it was reported that the league’s UK branch had recorded a total loss of 1.1 billion USD between its inception and the end of 2024, including 450 million USD in 2024 alone.
McIlroy: ‘I don’t like what LIV Golf has done to our sport’
‘I don’t like what LIV Golf has done to our sport because it’s caused a massive divide. Last time on this podcast I said maybe I judged too harshly those who went there, as not everyone is in the same situation as me,’ McIlroy said, adding: ‘If you’re offered double the money for the same work, it’s hard to say no.’
He also believes LIV Golf has not yet found lasting appeal with fans and viewers but acknowledged the league has some positive aspects. He described himself as a ‘traditionalist’ and suggested this influences his thinking. Nevertheless, he said, ‘They came in and said: \”We will be different, we will be this, we will be that.\” Even switching from 54 to 72 holes to gain ranking points is just doing what everyone else does. So, what’s different—besides the money?’
Rory McIlroy on LIV Golf Returnees and the 2025 Ryder Cup
Regarding possible returns of former LIV players to the PGA Tour—such as Brooks Koepka after four years with LIV Golf—McIlroy expressed a relaxed attitude: ‘I think they have already paid their consequences,’ he said, continuing, ‘They have earned a lot of money