Rory McIlroy has delivered a blunt assessment of LIV Golf’s biggest stars as speculation continues over whether some of them could make their way back to the PGA Tour.
The future of LIV Golf has become one of the biggest talking points in professional golf, with the league preparing for significant changes after the Saudi Public Investment Fund decided not to continue backing the circuit beyond 2026.
Among the biggest names facing questions over their futures are Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith.
McIlroy was asked whether he would like to see LIV’s leading players return to the PGA Tour and whether their presence would add value.
His response was particularly sharp.
“I’d argue, have they brought value to LIV?”
McIlroy then made his position clear.
“I think the PGA Tour is in a really good spot.”
McIlroy warns LIV stars of difficult road back
Brooks Koepka has already provided a blueprint for players attempting to return to the PGA Tour after leaving for LIV.
Koepka returned through the PGA Tour’s Returning Membership Program earlier this year, while Rahm, DeChambeau and Smith were also reportedly offered the opportunity.
However, the three LIV stars chose to remain with the breakaway league.
McIlroy believes that decision could now prove costly.
“If they were offered this Returning Member Program back in February, the one that Brooks took, maybe. But that has come and gone.”
He added that any future pathway back to the PGA Tour could be considerably less favourable.
“I think it was said at the time that the deal that they might get going forward, if they do decide to come back, isn’t going to be as good as the one that Brooks got. I’d say it’s going to be a tough, tough road back.”
McIlroy remains firmly against LIV
The six-time major champion also reiterated that his opposition to LIV Golf has not changed.
“I feel like I’ve kept my position consistent that LIV has never been a good thing for the game.”
McIlroy acknowledged that the PGA Tour could have handled certain issues better before LIV emerged, but questioned whether those disagreements justified the creation of a rival circuit.
He specifically pointed to Phil Mickelson’s dissatisfaction with the PGA Tour before becoming one of LIV’s most prominent signings.
“Sure, but I think that the guys that went… surely that just warranted a conversation instead of blowing the entire professional game up and doing something else.”
Despite his criticism of LIV and its players, McIlroy stressed that he takes no pleasure in the uncertainty facing people working within the league.
“I don’t take any personal satisfaction of people losing jobs. That doesn’t seem right.”
PGA Tour remains McIlroy’s preferred platform
McIlroy believes the PGA Tour remains the strongest platform for elite professional golf, even acknowledging that the organisation has made mistakes.
He also suggested that the Tour could have handled its finances and structure differently if it had access to the enormous sums of money that have been invested into LIV.
With LIV attempting to create a leaner model for 2027, the future of several of its biggest stars remains uncertain.
And if Rahm, DeChambeau or others eventually decide to return, McIlroy’s latest comments suggest they should not expect the PGA Tour to make their comeback easy.
