Rory McIlroy expresses doubts about LIV Golf’s future and discusses former players returning to the PGA Tour in a recent podcast.
Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy voiced skepticism regarding the long-term future of the LIV Golf League in a more than 60-minute podcast episode of the ‘Stick to Football’ series on the English channel The Overlap, released last Friday. The league is funded by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF). McIlroy discussed his overall stance on LIV Golf and explained why he has no personal connection to the league. He also addressed the possibility of former PGA Tour players returning.
The five-time major winner and one of LIV Golf’s sharpest critics since its 2022 inception speculated that the PIF might consider shutting down the newly founded league if it does not generate profits long-term. McIlroy said: ‘I don’t know, but if LIV can’t captivate audiences, and they’ve poured so much money into this project without returns, I don’t see how they can sustain it.’
Although LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil announced at the end of October 2025 that the league secured roughly half a billion euros in sponsorships over the past ten months, it remains unclear when profitability might be achieved. The newsletter ‘Money in Sport’ forecasted in May 2025 that PIF’s investments would reach five billion USD by the end of 2025. By October, it was revealed the league’s UK branch posted a total loss of 1.1 billion USD between launch and the end of 2024, including 450 million USD in 2024 alone.
McIlroy: ‘I Dislike What LIV Golf Has Done to Our Sport’
‘I dislike what LIV Golf has done to our sport as it caused massive division. I said last time on this podcast 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 remarked, adding, ‘When offered twice the money for the same work, it’s hard to say no.’
He believes LIV Golf has yet to gain lasting fan appeal but acknowledged the league held some positive aspects. Calling himself a ‘traditionalist,’ he admitted this may limit his perspective. Nonetheless, he stated: ‘They came in saying, ‘We’ll be different, we’ll be this, we’ll be that.’ Even changing from 54 to 72 holes to earn