Rory McIlroy voices doubts about LIV Golf’s future and discusses former players returning to the PGA Tour in a recent podcast.
In a podcast episode over 60 minutes long from the series ‘Stick to Football’ on the English channel ‘The Overlap‘, Rory McIlroy expressed his doubts about the long-term future of the LIV Golf League, which is funded by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF). He spoke about his fundamental stance on LIV Golf and explained why he has no personal connection to the league. McIlroy also addressed the possibility that former PGA Tour players might return.
The four-time major champion and one of LIV Golf’s fiercest critics since its 2022 inception speculated that the PIF could consider shutting down the newly established league entirely if it does not become profitable. McIlroy said: ‘I don’t know, but if LIV can’t excite the viewers, and they have invested so much money into this project without it paying off, 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 earned about half a billion euros in sponsorship over the past ten months, the timeline for profitability remains uncertain. The newsletter ‘Money in Sport’ predicted in May 2025 that the PIF’s investment would reach five billion USD by the end of 2025. Later in October, it was revealed that LIV Golf’s UK branch had already recorded a total loss of 1.1 billion USD from its start through the end of 2024, with 450 million USD alone in 2024.
McIlroy: ‘I Dislike What LIV Golf Has Done to Our Sport’
‘I dislike what LIV Golf has done to our sport because it has caused a massive divide. Last time on this podcast, I said I might have been a little too quick to judge the guys who went there because not everyone is in the same position as me,’ McIlroy said, adding, ‘When you’re offered double the money for the same work, it’s kind of hard to say no.’
McIlroy believes LIV Golf has yet to gain lasting appeal among fans but acknowledged the league contains some positive elements. He called himself a ‘traditionalist’ and suggested this might limit his perspective. Nevertheless, he said, ‘They came in saying: ‘We will be different, we will be this, we will be that.’ Even the fact that they switched from 54 to 72 holes to earn world ranking points is just doing what everyone else does.’ He questioned, ‘So what’s different – apart from 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