Rory McIlroy voices doubts about LIV Golf’s future and discusses former players returning to the PGA Tour.
In an over 60-minute episode of the podcast series ‘Stick to Football’ on the English channel The Overlap, released last Friday, Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy expressed skepticism about the long-term future of the LIV Golf League, which is financed 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 addressed the possibility of former PGA Tour players returning.
The five-time major champion, one of LIV Golf’s fiercest critics since its 2022 inception, speculated that the PIF might consider shutting down the league if it does not become profitable long-term. McIlroy said, ‘I don’t know, but if LIV can’t excite the fans and they’ve invested so much money without returns, I don’t know how much longer they can sustain it.’
Although LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil announced in October 2025 that the league had secured nearly half a billion euros in sponsorships over the past ten months, it remains unclear when the league will turn a profit. The newsletter ‘Money in Sport’ projected in May 2025 that the Saudi PIF’s investment would reach five billion USD by the end of that year. By October, it was revealed that the UK branch of the league had already lost 1.1 billion USD between its launch and the end of 2024, including 450 million USD 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. I previously said on this podcast that perhaps I was too quick to judge those who went there, as not everyone is in the same position as me,’ McIlroy said, adding, ‘When you’re offered double the money for the same work, it’s hard to say no.’
McIlroy also believes that LIV Golf has failed to gain lasting traction with fans and viewers so far but acknowledged the league has some positive aspects. Calling himself a ‘traditionalist,’ he suggested this might limit his viewpoint. He said, ‘They came in saying, “We will be different, we will be this, we will be that.” Even changing from 54 to 72 holes to earn