Rory McIlroy expresses doubts about LIV Golf’s future and discusses PGA Tour returnees in a new podcast.
Northern Irish star Rory McIlroy shared his skepticism about the long-term future of the LIV Golf League during a 60-minute episode of the \”Stick to Football\” podcast series on the English channel The Overlap, released last Friday. Funded by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), LIV Golf has sparked controversy since its inception. McIlroy discussed his general stance towards LIV Golf and explained why he feels no personal connection to the league. He also addressed the possibility of former PGA Tour players returning to the tour.
The five-time major champion and longtime critic of LIV Golf speculated that the PIF might consider shutting down the new league if it fails to generate profits in the long run. McIlroy said, \”I don’t know, but if LIV can’t captivate audiences and they’ve invested so much money without returns, I don’t know how long they can sustain it.\”
Despite LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil announcing in late October 2025 that the league raised around half a billion euros in sponsorship money within the past ten months, it remains unclear when the league will become profitable. The \”Money in Sport\” newsletter predicted in May 2025 that PIF’s investment could grow to five billion USD by the end of the year. Additionally, the league’s UK branch reported a total loss of 1.1 billion USD between its launch and the end of 2024, with 450 million USD lost 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 has created massive division. I said in my last podcast that maybe I was too quick to judge the guys who went there, because not everyone’s situation is the same as mine,\” McIlroy said, adding, \”When you’re offered double the money for the same work, it’s hard to say no.\”
At the same time, McIlroy believes LIV Golf has yet to win lasting support from fans and viewers, while acknowledging the league does have some positive aspects. He identified as a \”traditionalist,\” which he believes limits his perspective. Still, he remarked, \”They came in and said, ‘We will be different, we will be this, we will be that.’ Even the fact that they switched from 54 to 72 holes to gain world ranking points is just like doing what everyone else does.\