McIlroy would vote for LIV players' PGA Tour return
Rory McIlroy would vote to have LIV Golf players back on the PGA Tour and says the breakaway circuit is no longer a threat to traditional tours.
Key points
- Rory McIlroy says he would vote for LIV Golf defectors to return to the PGA Tour.
- McIlroy believes LIV is no longer a threat to traditional tours.
- McIlroy says LIV had a good idea but executed it poorly and wasted capital.
Rory McIlroy has said he would vote to allow LIV Golf defectors back on the PGA Tour and believes the breakaway circuit is no longer a threat to traditional tours. The world number two, a long-time critic of LIV since its 2022 inception, made the comments to Bloomberg in New Delhi before playing in the DP World India Championship.
McIlroy's remarks come amid ongoing uncertainty about LIV's future. The circuit has secured possible $300m (£226m) in financing from BC Partners Credit, and two-time major winner Jon Rahm has opted out of the tour.
McIlroy criticises LIV execution
McIlroy said LIV had "probably half of a good idea that was executed pretty poorly." He added that the circuit had a lot of capital but wasted much of it, and could have used the money more strategically by partnering with governing bodies instead of just enriching tour pros.
Asked if he would vote for LIV players to return to the tours he plays on, McIlroy said: "Yes, I would." He explained that a rising tide lifts all boats and having some of these players back is beneficial for the business of the tours.
I think a rising tide lifts all boats. And I think having some of these players back is beneficial for the business of the tours, absolutely.
— Rory McIlroy
Outlook and lost friendships
McIlroy said it looks like every day another former LIV player says they will not rejoin for LIV 2.0. He believes it will be very difficult for LIV to get out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy and go forward, and if it does, it will not be a threat to the traditional order of the game as it once was.
McIlroy admitted he lost friends in the fallout of players leaving the PGA or DP World tours to join LIV. He said some people he played with on European Ryder Cup teams are no longer as close, citing a difference of opinion on golf's future and the fact they no longer play the same tournaments or see each other.
