For most of his media availability, Rory McIlroy played it mostly down the line when it came to LIV. By the end, though, the world No. 2 seemingly couldn’t help himself.
The two-time Masters champion spoke about the ongoing reorganization of men’s professional golf at the Truist Championship this week. That game of musical chairs might not be done, either, with the announcement that the Saudi Arabian PIF is pulling its funding of LIV, potentially opening the door for some players on the renegade tour to return to the PGA Tour.
Rory McIlroy Calls Out LIV Players Who Don’t Want to Return to PGA Tour
Some have or will look to return, but there were others who said they didn’t really want back on the PGA Tour. Ealier this week, LIV Golf and former PGA Tour veteran Anirban Lahiri said, “I know at least a dozen players who’d rather not play golf than go back to the PGA Tour.”
For those players, McIlroy had a message.
“If you want to be the most competitive golfer you can be, this is the place to be, and if you don’t want to play here, I think that says something about you,” McIlroy told reporters after Round 2 on May 8.
Ultimately, there are probably going to be more players who do want to return to the Tour. For starters, it’s one of the only games left in town if LIV ceases to exist, and the PGA Tour has legitimate momentum. There’s $20 million on the line this week, with $3.6 million up top as the Truist is designated as one of the Tour’s signature events.
How Can LIV Players Return to PGA Tour?
McIlroy sees a path back for those players, but he’s just not sure what that will look like.
“It’s a question if they do want to come back,” McIlroy said. “Obviously we have seen the quotes over the last few days. And, you know, it seems like some of the guys, if — again, it all depends on what happens to LIV. 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.
“So, but again, I think there’s going to be a lot of sort of bridges to cross to get there, just because, you know, obviously the guys over there are under contract, and if they’re able to keep it going and get a schedule together next year, it seems like those guys are still going to play the majority of their golf on LIV, in whatever form it takes.”
To that last point, McIlroy offered one other small quip about the future of LIV, which is reportedly seeking funding with the Saudis backing out.
“They’re going to go and try and find alternative investment, whatever that may look like. 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.”
For those who do want to return, there is precedent. Five-time major winner Brooks Koepka is playing this week at the Myrtle Beach Classic, grinding his way back to full-time status as part of the Tour’s initial pathway program. Meanwhile, former Masters champion Patrick Reed is jetsetting the world with hopes for a return in 2027.
Rory McIlroy Takes Shot at LIV Golf Players Ahead of PGA Championship