Rory McIlroy expresses doubts about LIV Golf’s future and talks about former players returning to the PGA Tour.
In a more than 60-minute episode of the \”Stick to Football\” podcast series on the English channel The Overlap, Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy voiced skepticism regarding the long-term future of the LIV Golf League, which is financed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). McIlroy shared his fundamental stance on LIV Golf and explained why he has no personal connection to the league. He also touched on the possibility of former PGA Tour players returning to the tour.
The five-time major champion and one of LIV Golf’s fiercest critics since its inception in 2022 speculated that the PIF might consider shutting down the newly established league if it does not yield profits over time. McIlroy said, \”I don’t know, but if LIV can’t engage viewers and they have invested so much money into this project without returns, I don’t know how much longer they can sustain it.\”
Although LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil announced in late October 2025 that the league had garnered about half a billion euros in sponsorship over the past ten months, the timeline for profitability remains uncertain. The \”Money in Sport\” newsletter predicted in May 2025 that the Saudi PIF’s investments would grow to $5 billion by the end of 2025. Furthermore, in October it was revealed that the league’s UK branch had already recorded a total loss of $1.1 billion from its inception through the end of 2024, with $450 million of that loss in 2024 alone.
McIlroy: \”I Dislike What LIV Golf Has Done to Our Sport\”
\”I dislike what LIV Golf has done to our sport because it has caused a massive divide. Last time on this podcast, I mentioned I might have been too quick to judge the guys 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 kind of hard to say no.\”
At the same time, McIlroy believes LIV Golf has yet to find lasting appeal among fans and viewers but acknowledged that the league does have some positive aspects. He described himself as a \”traditionalist\” and suggested this might limit his perspective. Nevertheless, he pointed out, \”They came in saying, ‘We will be different, we will be this, we will be that.’ Even the fact that they switched from 54 to 72 holes to gain world ranking points is just doing what everyone else does.\” He further questioned, \”So what is different now – besides the money?\”
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