Rory McIlroy voices doubts about LIV Golf’s future and discusses former players returning to the PGA Tour in a recent podcast.
Northern Irish star Rory McIlroy expressed skepticism about the long-term future of the LIV Golf League in a 60-minute episode of the podcast series ‘Stick to Football’ from the English channel ‘The Overlap‘ released last Friday. The league is financed by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF). McIlroy discussed his general stance on LIV Golf and explained why he has no personal connection to the league. He also touched on the possibility that former PGA Tour players might return.
The five-time major winner and one of LIV Golf’s harshest critics since its founding in 2022 suggested that the PIF might consider shutting down the league if it does not generate profits in the long run. McIlroy said, \”I don’t know, but if LIV can’t capture the fans, and they’ve invested so much money without return, I don’t know how long they can keep it going.\”
Although LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil announced in late October 2025 that the league had secured about half a billion euros in sponsorship over the past ten months, it remains unclear when profitability might be achieved. The newsletter ‘Money in Sport’ predicted in May 2025 that PIF investments would reach $5 billion by year-end. By October, it was reported that the league’s UK branch had recorded a total loss of $1.1 billion from launch through 2024, including $450 million 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 division. I said last time on this podcast that maybe I was a bit too quick to judge the guys who went there, since not everyone is in the same position as me,\” McIlroy stated, adding, \”When you’re offered double the money for the same work, it’s hard to say no.\”
McIlroy believes LIV Golf has yet to find lasting support among fans, though he acknowledges some positive aspects. Calling himself a ‘traditionalist,’ he suspects this limits his perspective. He remarked, \”They came in and said, ‘We’ll be different, we’ll be this, we’ll be that.’ Even switching from 54 to 72 holes to gain world ranking points is just doing what everyone else does