Rory McIlroy expresses doubts about LIV Golf’s future and comments on former players returning to the PGA Tour in a recent podcast.
In a 60-minute episode of the ‘Stick to Football’ podcast series by the English channel ‘The Overlap,’ released last Friday, Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy voiced skepticism about the long-term viability of the LIV Golf League, which is funded by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF). McIlroy discussed his fundamental stance on LIV Golf, explaining why he has no personal connection to the league and touched on the possibility of former PGA Tour players returning.
The five-time major champion and a longtime critic of LIV Golf since its 2022 inception speculated that the PIF may consider shutting down the newly established league if it fails to generate profits in the long run. McIlroy said, ‘I don’t know, but if LIV can’t excite viewers, and they have invested so much money into this project without a payoff, I’m not sure how long they can sustain it.’
Although LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil announced in late October 2025 that the league had secured around half a billion euros in sponsorship revenue over the past ten months, it remains unclear when profits might be realized. The ‘Money in Sport’ newsletter projected in May 2025 that PIF’s investments in LIV Golf would reach five billion USD by the end of 2025. Additionally, the league’s UK branch posted a total loss of 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’s caused a huge divide. I said in this podcast last time that maybe I was a bit too quick to judge the guys who went there, because 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.’
McIlroy believes LIV Golf has not yet found lasting appeal among fans and viewers but acknowledges the league has some positive aspects. Calling himself a ‘traditionalist,’ he suggested this might limit his perspective. Nonetheless, he said, ‘They came in saying, ‘We’re going to be different, we’re going to be this, we’re going to be that.’ Even the fact they switched from 54 to 72 holes to earn world ranking points feels like just doing what everyone else does.’ He added, ‘So what is really different—apart from the money?’
Rory McIlroy on LIV Golf Returnees and the 2025 Ryder Cup
Regarding the possibility of former LIV players returning to the PGA Tour—as seen recently with Brooks Koepka after four years in LIV Golf—McIl