Rory McIlroy expressed doubts about LIV Golf’s future in a podcast and discussed potential returns to the PGA Tour.
In a 60-minute episode of the ‘Stick to Football’ podcast series by the English channel ‘The Overlap’, Rory McIlroy shared his skepticism about the long-term future of the LIV Golf League, which is funded by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF). McIlroy discussed his general stance on LIV Golf and why he has no personal connection to the league. He also touched upon the possibility of former PGA Tour players returning.
The four-time major winner and one of LIV Golf’s sharpest critics since its 2022 inception speculated that PIF might consider shutting down the league if it fails to generate profits in the long run. McIlroy said, ‘I don’t know, but if LIV can’t engage fans and they have invested so much money 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 raised approximately half a billion euros in sponsorships over the past ten months, it remains unclear when profits might materialize. The ‘Money in Sport’ newsletter predicted in May 2025 that PIF’s investments would reach five billion USD by the end of 2025. Additionally, the UK branch of the league reported a total loss of 1.1 billion USD from its start through the end of 2024, with 450 million USD in losses 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 caused a massive division. I said on this podcast last time that I might have been too quick to judge the guys who went there, because not everyone is in the same situation as me,’ McIlroy said. He added, ‘If you’re offered double the money for the same work, it’s hard to say no.’
McIlroy believes LIV Golf has yet to find lasting support among fans, though he acknowledges some positive aspects of the league. Calling himself a ‘traditionalist’, he suggested this might limit his perspective. He said, ‘They came in saying ‘We will be different, we will be this, we will be that.’ Even changing from 54 to 72 holes to earn world ranking points is just doing what everyone else does.’ He continued, ‘So what is different now—besides the money?’
Rory McIlroy on LIV Golf Returns and the 2025 Ryder Cup
Regarding former LIV players possibly returning to the PGA Tour—like Brooks Koepka’s recent return after four years—McIlroy remained calm: ‘I think they’ve already paid their consequences,’ he said, explaining that although they earned a lot of money, they lost reputation and suffered losses due to their move.