Rory McIlroy voices skepticism about LIV Golf’s long-term future and comments on former players returning to the PGA Tour.
In a podcast episode over 60 minutes long from the English channel ‘The Overlap’, Rory McIlroy shared doubts about the sustainability of the LIV Golf League, which is funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). The Northern Irish star, a five-time major winner and vocal critic of LIV Golf since its inception in 2022, explained why he has no personal affiliation with the league and discussed the possibility of former PGA Tour players making a comeback.
McIlroy speculated that the PIF might consider shutting down the newly formed league if it does not become profitable in the long run. \”I don’t know, but if LIV can’t excite viewers and they’ve invested so much money without returns, I don’t know how much longer they can sustain it,\” he said.
Although LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil announced in late October 2025 that the league had raised about half a billion euros in sponsorship within the past ten months, it remains unclear when the league might turn a profit. The newsletter ‘Money in Sport’ forecasted in May 2025 that Saudi Arabia’s PIF investments in LIV could reach $5 billion by the end of 2025. By October, the UK branch of the league reported a total loss of $1.1 billion since its start through the end of 2024, including $450 million 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 has caused a massive divide. I mentioned last time on this podcast that maybe I was too quick to judge the guys who went there because not everyone is in the same position as I am,\” McIlroy said. \”If you’re offered double the money for the same work, it’s hard to say no.\”
He also believes LIV Golf has yet to gain lasting appeal among fans, though he acknowledged some positive aspects of the league. Calling himself a ‘traditionalist,’ McIlroy admitted this might limit his perspective. He added, \”They came in saying ‘we’ll be different, we’ll do this, we’ll do that.’ Even the switch from 54 to 72 holes to get world ranking points is just doing what everyone else does. So what’s different now—apart from the money?\”
Rory McIlroy on LIV Returnees and the 2025 Ryder Cup
Regarding the possible return of former LIV players to the PGA Tour—such as Brooks Koepka, who returned after four years—McIlroy remained calm: \”I think they’ve already faced the consequences,\” he said. \”They have earned a lot of money, but they’ve also suffered the fallout considering the reputation they’ve lost and what they’ve sacrificed by switching.\”
Speaking on the