McIlroy Says He Is No Longer Opposed to LIV Players Returning to PGA Tour

Rory McIlroy said on Friday that he is no longer opposed to LIV Golf players returning to the PGA Tour. The world No 2 added that whether they return "is a question of if they do want to come back" and that the answer will probably depend on what happens with LIV’s financial situation in the coming months. Last month Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund pulled funding for LIV Golf.

The circuit had lured away stars including Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau with lucrative, guaranteed contracts. The PGA Tour recently offered a temporary path back for some LIV players. Brooks Koepka took advantage of the opportunity.

Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton are among the players who remain under contract with LIV beyond this season. Rahm resolved his financial dispute with the DP World Tour. McIlroy made his comments after finishing his second round at the Truist Championship in Charlotte.

He said anything that makes the PGA Tour or DP World Tour stronger is good business practice. “They’re going to go and try and find alternative investment, whatever that may look like,” McIlroy said. ” McIlroy has been an outspoken critic in the past of players who joined the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour.

On Friday he said he was probably too judgmental in his past opinions on those players. “The guys under contract with LIV who are able to keep it going will probably play the majority of their golf on LIV next year,” McIlroy said. Bryson DeChambeau’s contract with LIV is up after the season and he has reportedly asked for a new $500m deal.

DeChambeau has denied reports that he had started talks on a possible return to the PGA Tour, calling them completely untrue. He said he would focus on his YouTube channel should LIV not survive. The PGA Championship is next week outside Philadelphia.

DeChambeau, Rahm, Brooks Koepka, Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler will all participate in the PGA Championship. The Guardian reported that McIlroy has softened his stance on those who moved to LIV over the years. He reiterated that LIV is not for him while questioning why top players would not want to compete against the world’s best every week on the PGA Tour.