Rory McIlroy expresses doubts about LIV Golf’s future and discusses returning players to the PGA Tour in a recent podcast.
In a 60-minute episode of the ‘Stick to Football’ podcast series by the English channel ‘The Overlap‘, released on Friday, the Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy shared his skepticism regarding 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 personally does not relate to the league. He also touched on the possibility of former PGA Tour players returning.
The five-time major champion, an outspoken critic of LIV Golf since its inception in 2022, speculated that PIF might consider shutting down the newly established league if it does not become profitable in the long run. McIlroy stated, ‘I don’t know, but if LIV can’t excite the audiences, 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 revealed in late October 2025 that the league had generated around half a billion euros in sponsorship over the past ten months, it remains unclear when profits might be realized. The ‘Money in Sport’ newsletter predicted in May 2025 that the Saudi PIF’s investments would reach $5 billion by the end of 2025. In October, it was disclosed that the league’s UK branch had incurred a total loss of $1.1 billion between its launch and the end of 2024, with $450 million 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 caused a massive division. Last time on this podcast, I said 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, adding, ‘When you’re offered double the money for the same work, it’s hard to say no.’
McIlroy believes LIV Golf has not yet found sustainable support among fans but acknowledged that the league has some positive aspects. He described himself as a ‘traditionalist’ and suggested that this might limit his view. Nevertheless, he noted, ‘They came in and said, ‘We will be different, we will be this, we will be that.’ Even the fact that they