Rory McIlroy expresses doubts about LIV Golf’s future and discusses former players returning to the PGA Tour in a recent podcast.
In a more than 60-minute episode of the English channel The Overlap’s podcast series ‘Stick to Football,’ Northern Irish star Rory McIlroy shared his skepticism about the long-term prospects of the LIV Golf League, which is funded by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF). McIlroy explained his general stance on LIV Golf and why he has no personal connection to the league. He also touched on the possibility of former PGA Tour players returning.
The five-time major champion and one of the most vocal critics of LIV Golf since its inception in 2022 suggested that the PIF might consider shutting down the league entirely if the venture does not become profitable in the long run. McIlroy stated, ‘I don’t know, but if LIV fails to captivate audiences and they have invested so much money without payoff, I don’t know how much longer they can sustain it.’
Despite LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil announcing in late October 2025 that the league had secured around half a billion euros in sponsorship over the past ten months, it remains unclear when profits might be realized. The newsletter ‘Money in Sport’ forecasted in May 2025 that PIF’s investments could reach five billion US dollars by the end of 2025. Subsequently, it was revealed that LIV’s British branch posted a total loss of 1.1 billion US dollars between its launch and the end of 2024, including a 450 million US dollar loss 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. Last time on this podcast, I said I might have been too hasty in judging the guys who went there because not everyone is in the same situation as me,’ McIlroy said. ‘When offered double the money for the same work, it’s hard to turn down.’
McIlroy also believes LIV Golf has yet to find lasting appeal among fans but acknowledged the league has some positive aspects. Calling himself a ‘traditionalist,’ he theorizes this influences his perspective. He commented, ‘They came in saying, ‘We will be different, we will be this, we will be that.’ Even switching from 54 to 72 holes to gain world ranking points is just copying what everyone else does.’ And he added, ‘What’s different now—bes