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McIlroy Open to LIV Players Returning to PGA Tour as Saudi Funding Ends

McIlroy told reporters at Quail Hollow he is no longer opposed to LIV players rejoining the PGA Tour but questioned their desire to compete on traditional tours. Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund ended funding for LIV Golf after this season, leaving players such as Bryson DeChambeau facing uncertain futures. DeChambeau called the decision shocking and denied reports of PGA Tour talks.

nypost.com
TH
The Guardian
3 sources·May 9, 12:20 PM(20 days ago)·2m read
McIlroy Open to LIV Players Returning to PGA Tour as Saudi Funding Endsnypost.com
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Rory McIlroy said he is no longer opposed to LIV Golf players returning to the PGA Tour but suggested their interest will determine the outcome as Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund pulls funding after the current season. McIlroy spoke to reporters at Quail Hollow on Friday after his second round at the Truist Championship in Charlotte.

“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,” he said. He added, “It’s a question on if they do want to come back. ” McIlroy, who led the initial push against LIV Golf, has not had a leadership role on the PGA Tour in a couple of seasons.

He admitted he was “probably too judgmental” on the players who initially left for LIV. “I’m not going to judge anyone for not wanting to play on the PGA Tour,” he said. The world No. ” Yet he voiced openness to reintegration if it strengthens the tours.

“If it is a scenario where they have the option to come back and play on the traditional tours, I think 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,” McIlroy said. He expressed doubt about LIV’s ability to continue in its current form.

“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,” McIlroy said.

His contract with LIV ends after this season and he has reportedly asked for a new $500m deal. DeChambeau said he was told LIV had financing until 2032. “A couple months before that, it’s like, ‘We’re here until 2032.

We’ve got financing until 2032,’ and so I told everybody, and that’s what I was told. And then, you know, I haven’t had any communication. And unfortunately, things are moving on in a different direction.

Obviously, they wanted to move on,” he said. 6 million subscribers on his YouTube channel, said he would love to grow his channel “three times, maybe even more” if LIV shutters. “I would love to.

I’d love to do a bunch of dubbing in different languages, giving the world more reason to watch YouTube. And then I’d love to play tournaments that want me,” DeChambeau said. ” Brooks Koepka took advantage of a temporary path back offered by the PGA Tour to LIV players.

Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton remain under contract with LIV beyond this season. Jon Rahm resolved his financial dispute with the DP World Tour. The PGA Championship is scheduled next week outside Philadelphia.

Key Facts

Saudi funding for LIV Golf ends after current season
PIF pulled support; DeChambeau's contract expires and he sought a new $500m deal while expressing shock at the decision.
McIlroy no longer opposes LIV players returning
He called reintegration 'good business practice' if it strengthens PGA and DP World Tours but questioned players' desire to compete on traditional tours.
DeChambeau denies PGA Tour return talks
Called reports 'completely untrue'; plans to expand YouTube channel with dubbing in multiple languages if LIV ends.

Story Timeline

4 events
  1. 2022

    Bryson DeChambeau left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf.

    1 sourcenypost.com
  2. 2025

    Last month Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund pulled funding for LIV Golf after the current season.

    2 sourcesThe Guardian · nypost.com
  3. 2026-05-08

    Bryson DeChambeau commented on YouTube growth, PGA penalties and denied return talks ahead of a tournament at Trump National Golf Club.

    1 sourcenypost.com
  4. 2026-05-09

    Rory McIlroy spoke to reporters at Quail Hollow following his second round at the Truist Championship.

    3 sourcesnypost.com · The Guardian · The Athletic

Potential Impact

  1. 01

    LIV players under contract beyond this season including Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton face schedule uncertainty.

  2. 02

    DeChambeau's YouTube audience of over 2.6 million subscribers positioned for significant growth if he shifts focus.

  3. 03

    PGA Tour may impose penalties on returning players such as DeChambeau, described as 'quite unfortunate'.

  4. 04

    Potential pathway for LIV players to DP World Tour could strengthen that circuit per McIlroy.

Transparency Panel

Sources cross-referenced3
Framing risk35/100 (low)
Confidence score86%
Synthesized bySubstrate AI
Word count474 words
PublishedMay 9, 2026, 12:20 PM
Bias signals removed1 across 1 outlet
Signal Breakdown
Loaded 1

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