Rory McIlroy has softened his stance on LIV Golf players potentially returning to the PGA Tour, but the world number two made it clear on Friday that the decision rests with those who left. “It’s a question of if they do want to come back,” McIlroy said, suggesting that the answer will likely depend on LIV’s financial outlook in the coming months.
The Saudi-backed LIV Golf series, which lured stars like Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau with lucrative contracts, has faced an uncertain future after Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund halted future funding. This raises new questions about whether some players should be allowed to rejoin the PGA Tour, and under what conditions. The PGA Tour recently offered a temporary path back for certain players, but many remain under contract with LIV beyond this season.
McIlroy, a six-time major winner, noted that PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp has indicated openness to anything that strengthens the traditional tours. “If it is a scenario where they have the option to come back and play on the traditional tours, I think everyone should be open to that,” McIlroy said after his second round at the Truist Championship. “That’s just good business practice.”
However, McIlroy expressed skepticism about LIV’s ability to secure alternative funding. “When one of the wealthiest sovereign wealth funds in the world thinks that you’re too expensive for them, that sort of says something,” he remarked.
DeChambeau, whose LIV contract expires after the season, has dismissed reports of talks about a return to the PGA Tour, calling them “completely untrue.” He has also said he would focus on his YouTube channel if LIV does not survive.
McIlroy, once a vocal critic of players who joined LIV, has admitted he was “probably too judgmental” in the past. But he reiterated that LIV is “not for me,” adding, “I’m not going to judge anyone for their decisions.” The PGA Championship, the year’s second major, is set for next week, with top players from both tours competing.