Golf superstar Rory McIlroy has modified his position regarding LIV Golf players potentially returning to the PGA Tour, stating Friday that welcoming back these golfers could benefit the traditional circuit.
McIlroy’s comments came amid uncertainty surrounding LIV Golf’s future, as Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has announced plans to withdraw financial support following the current season. When questioned about how this development might affect the PGA Tour, the Northern Irish golfer offered a more welcoming perspective than he has previously expressed.
“It’s a question if (players) do want to come back,” McIlroy stated following his second round at the Truist Championship in Charlotte, where he finished tied for eighth. “Obviously we have seen the quotes over the last few days. And, you know, it seems like … it all depends on what happens to LIV.”
The four-time major champion continued: “But if it is a scenario where they have the option to come back and play on the traditional tours, you know, I think (PGA Tour CEO) Brian Rolapp has said anything that makes this Tour stronger, anything that makes the DP World Tour stronger, I think everyone should be open to that. That’s just good business practice.”
McIlroy also reflected on his previous criticism of the Saudi-backed league, acknowledging his earlier harsh stance. “I think everyone sort of knows my views on LIV and where it stands in the game of golf. I don’t think I need to rehash any of that. It’s never been for me and, look, it doesn’t mean that LIV is going to go away. They’re going to go and try and find alternative investment, whatever that may look like.”
He added a pointed observation about the financial implications: “But when one of the wealthiest sovereign wealth funds in the world thinks that you’re too expensive for them, that sort of says something.”
The PGA Tour has already established precedent for player returns through its Returning Member Program. Five-time major winner Brooks Koepka successfully rejoined the tour earlier this year after meeting specific requirements that included “heavy and appropriate limitations to both tournament access and potential earning that we believe properly holds returning members accountable for substantial compensation earned elsewhere.”
This program targets golfers who captured major championships including the Players Championship, Masters Tournament, PGA Championship, U.S. Open or Open Championship between 2022-25. Other eligible players under these guidelines include Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith.
Reflecting on his evolution regarding LIV players, McIlroy admitted Friday: “I was probably too judgmental with the guys that went because I was seeing it from my point of view and maybe not seeing it from other points of view. But again, I’m not going to judge anyone for not wanting to play on the PGA Tour.”
He suggested alternative pathways for returning players: “Does that mean that they go play DP World Tour maybe. If that’s a pathway, that would make the DP World Tour stronger, and I would be delighted with that, because that’s my home Tour, at the end of the day.”
Despite his more accommodating tone, McIlroy maintained his belief in the PGA Tour’s superiority: “But … if you want to be the most competitive golfer you can be, (the PGA Tour) is the place to be. And if you don’t want to play here, I think that says something about you.”
