Rory McIlroy casts doubt on LIV Golf’s future and discusses returning players to the PGA Tour in a recent podcast.
In a more than 60-minute episode of the ‘Stick to Football’ podcast series from the English channel ‘The Overlap,’ released last Friday, Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy expressed doubts about the long-term future of the LIV Golf League, which is financed by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF). McIlroy shared his overall stance on LIV Golf and explained why he feels no personal connection to the league. He also addressed the possibility of former PGA Tour players returning.
The five-time major champion and one of LIV Golf’s most outspoken critics since its inception in 2022 speculated that the PIF might consider shutting down the newly formed league if it does not turn a profit in the long run. McIlroy said, ‘I don’t know, but if LIV can’t excite the fans and they’ve invested so much money into this project without returns, I don’t know how long they can sustain it.’
Despite LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil announcing in late October 2025 that the league had generated around half a billion euros in sponsorship revenue over the past ten months, it remains unclear when profits might be achieved. The ‘Money in Sport’ newsletter projected in May 2025 that PIF’s investments could reach five billion US dollars by the end of 2025. Additionally, reports revealed that the league’s UK branch recorded a total loss of 1.1 billion US dollars from its launch through the end of 2024, including 450 million US dollars 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 massive division. Last time on this podcast, I said I might have been too quick to judge the guys who went there, since not everyone is in the same situation I am,’ McIlroy said. He added, ‘When you’re offered double the money for the same work, it’s kind of hard to say no.’
At the same time, McIlroy believes LIV Golf has yet to gain lasting traction among fans and viewers but acknowledged the league has some positive aspects. He described himself as a ‘traditionalist’ and suggested this may limit his perspective. However, he noted, ‘They came in and said: ‘We’re going to be different, we’ll be this, we’ll be that.’ Even the fact they switched from 54 to 72 holes to gain world ranking points is like just doing what everyone else does.’ He continued, ‘So what is really different – aside from the money?’
Rory McIlroy on LIV Golf Returnees and Ryder Cup 2025
Regarding the possible return of former LIV players to the PGA Tour—such as Brooks Koepka recently returning after four years in LIV Golf—McIlroy was composed: