Rory McIlroy has been a vocal critic of LIV Golf since its inception in 2022 and the four-time major champion was not shy in taking aim at Phil Mickelson when asked about the future of the Saudi-backed league
Rory McIlroy took the opportunity to take a dig at Phil Mickelson when pressed on the future of LIV Golf.
The Saudi-backed breakaway league lost its funding from the PIF midway through the 2026 season, forcing the cancellation of their Michigan team finale and warning staff of potential redundancies, before LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil announced that a new investor had been secured.
However, the identity of the investor and the size of the investment remain undisclosed, leaving LIV’s future shrouded in uncertainty following its controversial arrival on the golf scene in 2022.
In order to establish itself, the league needed players, financial backing, and engaging content, leading them to poach some of the PGA Tour’s biggest names, including two-time major champion Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, and six-time major winner Phil Mickelson.
McIlroy, a longstanding critic of the circuit, made his feelings known when asked whether he would take pleasure in seeing LIV Golf fold, reports the Irish Star.
“I think I feel like I’ve kept my position consistent that LIV has never been a good thing for the game,” said McIlroy. “So, and whatever 2.0 looks like, if it even happens, you know, they say they’re trying to be more collaborative and all that. But I, this is, this is the best platform for the top professional golfers in the world.”
LIV Golf’s forthcoming schedule will comprise just 10 events with undisclosed prize funds, although players will receive equity stakes in the league. In the meantime, the PGA Tour has introduced format changes and brought in a new chief executive in a bid to strengthen the quality of the American circuit.
“Were there some things at the start of LIV that the PGA TOUR could have done better? Sure,” McIlroy continued.
“But I think that, you know, the guys that went, or you look, you think back to the start with, like, say, Phil was unhappy with some stuff or whatever it was. Like, surely that just warranted a conversation instead of blowing the entire professional game up and doing something else.
“So I don’t take any personal satisfaction of people like losing jobs. Like, that, that doesn’t, that doesn’t seem right. I’ve always felt like this is the best place to play professional golf. And I’m pretty sure if the PGA Tour were handed 6 billion dollars it would have done a better job with it.”
LIV Golf is currently holding its season finale in Indianapolis, amid growing speculation that the breakaway circuit could be set to lose several of its marquee names, including Rahm.
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