Rory McIlroy believes LIV won't threaten PGA with impending exodus
It looks like it’s the beginning of the end for LIV golf after Brooks Koepka left the Saudi-backed tour to return to the PGA.
The five-time major winner quit out of his contract at LIV with a year to spare, and rather than re-signing, has been allowed to rejoin the PGA Tour as part of their ‘Returning Players Programme’.
Several other star names could be in line to come back to the PGA, namely Jon Rahm, Cam Smith and Bryson DeChambeau, and they have until next month to decide if they want to return.
Brooks Koepka. Pic: Michael Reaves/Getty Images
DeChambeau is at the centre of negotiating a potentially massive contract, with reports saying the 2024 US Open winner is looking for around $500million (€430.5million) to stay with LIV golf.
Rory McIlroy, speaking with the Daily Telegraph during his season opener at the Dubai Invitational, spoke about how the rebel tour, which once posed a huge threat to the PGA, isn’t the beast it once was and is unlikely to be even if they can keep DeChambeau.
‘It’s not as if they made any huge signings this year, is it?’ They haven’t signed anyone who moves the needle, and I don’t think they will.
Pic: Graham Denholm/Getty Images
‘I mean, they could re-sign Bryson for hundreds of millions of dollars, but even if they do, it doesn’t change their product, does it? They’ll just be paying for the exact same thing. And they’ve lost Brooks, so they’ll be paying out all this money’
With the first set of contracts coming up for many LIV golfers and talks having stalled between the proposed merger of the two tours, it looks like LIV could potentially lose most, if not all of its big-name players, and the tour could be dead before it even gets into full swing.
McIlroy believes that the stalled talks have put LIV golf into a sticky situation, and their solution of fixing it with money may not be enough.
Bryson DeChambeau cradles the U.S.Open trophy after his win in 2024. Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images
‘A lot of these guys’ contracts are up. They’re going to ask for the same number or an even bigger number.
‘LIV have spent $5bn or $6bn, and they’re going to have to spend another five or six just to maintain where they are. Look, I’m way more comfortable being on the PGA Tour side than on their side, but who knows what’ll happen.’
McIlroy got his 2026 season off to a quick start as after two rounds of teh Dubair Invitational, he leads the field on -5.
