Rory McIlroy voices doubts about LIV Golf’s future and discusses possible returns to the PGA Tour in a recent podcast.
Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy expressed skepticism about the long-term future of the LIV Golf League during a more than 60-minute episode of the ‘Stick to Football’ podcast series on the English channel ‘The Overlap‘, released on Friday. Funded by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), McIlroy shared his general stance on LIV Golf and explained why he has no personal connection to the league. He also discussed the possibility that former PGA Tour players might return.
The five-time major champion and one of LIV Golf’s fiercest critics since its founding in 2022 speculated that the PIF might consider shutting down the newly established league entirely if it does not become profitable in the long run. McIlroy said, ‘I don’t know, but if LIV can’t attract viewers and they have invested so much money in this project without it paying off, I don’t know how long they can keep it up.’
Although LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil announced at the end of October 2025 that the league had generated approximately half a billion euros in sponsorship revenue over the past ten months, it remains unclear when profits might begin. The newsletter ‘Money in Sport’ predicted in May 2025 that PIF’s investments would rise to five billion USD by the end of 2025. In the following October, it was also revealed that the league’s UK branch had recorded an overall loss of 1.1 billion USD between its launch and the end of 2024, with 450 million USD 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 huge split. Last time on this podcast, I said I might have been a bit too hasty in my judgments about the guys who went there, as not everyone is in the same position as I am,’ 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 not yet gained sustainable support among fans and viewers but acknowledged that the league does have some positive aspects. Calling himself a ‘traditionalist,’ he suggested this may limit his perspective. He added, ‘They came in saying, ‘‘We will be different, we will be this, we will be that.’ Even the fact that they’ve now shifted from 54 to 72 holes to earn world ranking points is like just doing what everyone else does.’ He continued, ‘So what’s different now – except the money?’
Rory McIlroy on LIV Golf Returnees and Ryder Cup 2025
Regarding the possible return of former LIV players to