Despite the reported $850 million deal to join LIV Golf, Rory McIlroy has made his thoughts clear on joining the Saudi Arabian-funded league from the PGA Tour, noting his stance
Rory McIlroy’s feelings on joining LIV Golf were made abundantly clear, despite how the PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabian-backed circuit have progressed in their talks to merge.
Speaking to ESPN in April, the 35-year-old reiterated that his future is with the PGA Tour. Additionally, McIlroy explained how he and his agents have not received a formal offer from LIV and that any reported number that has been announced is all hearsay.
“I honestly don’t know how these things get started,” McIlroy told Golf Channel in April, per ESPN. “I’ve never been offered a number from LIV, and I’ve never contemplated going to LIV. Again, I think I’ve made it clear over the past two years that I don’t think it’s something for me.”
READ MORE: Rory McIlroy sends blunt message to LIV Golf chief Greg Norman after ‘$850m offer’ rumors
READ MORE: Rory McIlroy reflects on LIV Golf controversy and emphasizes need for unity in the professional game
A staunch supporter of the PGA Tour, McIlroy was among one of the most vocal critics of those joining the Saudi tour. However, as more of his fellow golfers and friends move to LIV for a higher payday and financial security, McIlroy slowly has changed his tune, though his loyalty to the PGA Tour remains pure.
“It doesn’t mean that I judge people who have went and played over there,” he continued. “I think one of the things that I have realized over the past two years is that people can make their own decisions for whatever they think is best for themselves, and who are we to judge them for that? But personally, for me, my future is here on the PGA Tour, and it’s never been any different.”
His comments are in stark contrast to how he reacted when asked about LIV in 2023. “I still hate LIV. Like, I hate LIV. Like, I hope it goes away,” he said before the RBC Canadian Open.
Along with stating his future is with the PGA Tour, McIlroy reiterated that that is were he wants to play for the rest of his career, no matter how long that will be. “It’s never even been a conversation for us,” the star added.
“It’s unfortunate we have to deal with it, and this is the state our game is in. I’m obviously here and going to the PGA Tour event next week, and I’ll play the PGA Tour the rest of my career.”
Now that the PGA Tour and LIV have continued their negotiations, McIlroy has been more willing to be mentioned in the same breath as the Saudi Arabian circuit, stating in January: “It would be much better being together and moving forward together for the good of the game.
That’s my opinion of it. So to me, the faster that we can all get back together and start to play and start to have the strongest fields possible I think is great for golf.”
Furthermore, McIlroy clarified that he has spoken to other golfers about LIV Golf and believes an “open mind” is needed to understand the decisions his peers have made.
“I think the one thing I’ve realized as well is guys need to keep an open mind, and I’m sure there’s been players that are still playing on the PGA Tour that have talked to the guys from LIV and had offers and whatever,” the Northern Irishman said.