Lee Westwood pushed back against Rory McIlroy's recent criticism of LIV Golf, describing the Irishman's remarks as "typical" of the current Masters champion. McIlroy had warned before the BMW Championship that players hoping to return to the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour could face a "tough road back," as uncertainty continues to swirl around the long‑term viability of the LIV circuit.
During the same period, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler suggested that some LIV participants might actually add value to the PGA Tour should they decide to come back, but he also argued that any returning players should face appropriate penalties. McIlroy appeared to disagree with that stance, maintaining his long‑standing view that LIV Golf has not been beneficial to the sport.
"I would argue, have they brought value to LIV?" McIlroy told reporters earlier in the week. He later added, "I feel like I've kept my position consistent that LIV has never been a good thing for the game." Westwood, who is set to make his Legends Tour debut next week, will also return to the DP World Tour in October for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. He is among several LIV Golf players who have accepted sponsor invitations to play in traditional events. When asked about the criticism, Westwood said, "I really don't care what people think, to be perfectly honest," speaking to TNT Sports at the LIV Golf event in Indianapolis.
He continued, "The invitation to the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship shows that promoters and sponsors value LIV players, regardless of which tour they belong to. They bring quality and excitement to tournaments." The conversation has broader implications for the future of LIV Golf. The organization recently announced that it has secured an undisclosed investor to help usher in its "next chapter." Chief executive Scott O'Neil warned that the group faces a "very compressed timeline" to lock in funding that will allow the tour to operate beyond the 2026 season. Bryson DeChambeau, who has not yet confirmed whether he will extend his LIV contract, weighed in on the challenges the tour faces.
"Look, it's tough – it's not easy," he said. "We definitely have a lot against us. Behind the scenes, many people are working hard to make this possible for the players and the fans who attend these events.
If it works, that's great. If it doesn't, we'll figure it out and time will move on. Time heals things. I hope people can see that we actually bring value to the game of golf.
My wish is that people give us one more shot and be open‑minded." The debate over LIV Golf's impact is far from settled. McIlroy's comments sparked a rapid response from Westwood, who noted, "I heard Rory's comments. I thought Scottie answered the question well and Rory's answer was just typical of Rory, really – it wasn't well thought out.
There's a lot of players on this tour who bring value to tournaments." The broader golf community is watching closely. Sky Sports continues to broadcast live golf, including PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and major championships, while streaming options on NOW provide contract‑free access for fans.
As the LIV Golf saga unfolds, the sport's stakeholders—players, sponsors, and governing bodies—will need to navigate the competing interests of tradition and innovation, financial sustainability, and the desire to grow the game globally. In summary, Westwood's defense of LIV Golf highlights a growing split in opinion among elite players. While some, like Scheffler, see potential benefits if LIV athletes rejoin the PGA Tour under certain conditions, others, such as McIlroy, remain skeptical of the tour's contribution to golf's overall health. The upcoming Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and the search for new investment will be key indicators of whether LIV Golf can secure a lasting place in the sport's ecosystem.