Lee Westwood pushed back against Rory McIlroy’s recent criticism of the LIV Golf circuit, calling the remarks “typical” of the current Masters champion. McIlroy, speaking before the BMW Championship, warned that players hoping to re‑enter the PGA Tour or the DP World Tour could face a "tough road back" amid ongoing uncertainty about LIV Golf’s long‑term viability. The debate intensified when world‑number‑one Scottie Scheffler suggested that some former LIV competitors might actually add value to the PGA Tour if they were allowed to return, but he also argued that any returning players should face appropriate penalties. McIlroy appeared to disagree with Scheffler’s stance, maintaining his long‑standing view that LIV Golf has been detrimental to the sport.
"I would argue, have they brought value to LIV?" McIlroy asked 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 received sponsor invitations to that event. When asked about the criticism, Westwood told TNT Sports at the LIV Golf tournament in Indianapolis, "I really don’t care what people think, to be perfectly honest." He went on to explain why his invitation to the Dunhill Links matters: "It illustrates the fact that people like LIV players in their events. Promoters and sponsors, no matter which tour they’re on, they bring quality to tournaments." The conversation turned back to McIlroy when Westwood said, "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." LIV Golf, for its part, announced that it has secured an undisclosed investor to help finance what it calls the "next chapter" of the organization. Chief executive Scott O’Neil warned that the company faces a "very compressed timeline" to lock down funding that will allow it to operate beyond the end of the 2026 season.
Bryson DeChambeau, another high‑profile LIV participant who has not yet confirmed whether he will extend his contract, described the situation as "tough – it’s not easy." He added, "We definitely have a lot against us. Behind the scenes, we have a lot of people working hard to make this possible for not only all the players that are out here, but all the fans that have come out to these events." DeChambeau continued, "If it works, it works and that’s awesome.
If it doesn’t, we’ll figure things out and time will move on. I would say that 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 broader golf community continues to watch how the LIV saga unfolds. While some commentators argue that the new league has injected fresh ideas, larger prize funds and innovative formats into professional golf, traditionalists worry that it undermines the heritage and competitive balance of the established tours. The question of whether LIV players will eventually be welcomed back to the PGA Tour or the DP World Tour remains unresolved, with each side presenting compelling arguments about fairness, competition and the future health of the sport. Fans can follow the ongoing developments through live broadcasts on Sky Sports Golf, which covers the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour, the majors and a host of other events.
Those without a traditional contract can also stream matches via NOW, offering flexible access to the latest action and the continuing story of LIV Golf’s place in the global golf landscape.