Rory McIlroy has voiced the view that a number of golfers currently under contract with LIV Golf are likely to look for alternatives outside the rebel circuit, especially now that the league has entered bankruptcy protection and is planning a major overhaul. McIlroy’s comments come amid growing speculation about the stability of LIV Golf’s new business model, which was unveiled after the organization announced a partnership with private‑equity firm BC Partners and a restructuring plan that will see a revamped product, tentatively called LIV 2.0, launch next season.
The bankruptcy filing was lodged in a New Jersey court as part of the restructuring agreement. It follows the Saudi‑backed Public Investment Fund’s decision in April to cease additional funding for the league after the 2026 season. Over the five‑year lifespan of the venture, the PIF has reportedly spent about $5 billion (roughly £3.6 billion), a sum that has raised eyebrows across the golf world and prompted questions about the long‑term viability of the project. According to sources at Sky News, many LIV Golf players are currently in talks with league officials about whether they will extend their contracts through 2027 or walk away.
Some of the most prominent names, such as Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, have been deliberately vague about their future plans. Rahm, however, told reporters on Tuesday that he has a contract with LIV Golf that he is "more than willing to fulfil," suggesting that at least for the short term he intends to honor his obligations. McIlroy has previously warned that players who leave the traditional tours for LIV Golf could face a "tough road back" to the DP World Tour or the PGA Tour if the rebel league collapses.
Yet he also noted that the presence of LIV‑affiliated players on the established tours would raise the competitive standard and could be beneficial for everyone involved. "I'm not in their shoes, but LIV 1.0 at the start looked a lot more attractive than what LIV 2.0 might be from a financial standpoint," he said ahead of the Amgen Irish Open. "I'm not trying to predict the future, but I would predict that you'll see some guys leave LIV Golf.
That means other tours have decisions to make. Obviously there's a lot of players on LIV that can strengthen golf tournaments and make them more competitive. So I would see that as a good thing for the DP World Tour." Both Rahm and his Legion XIII teammate Tyrrell Hatton are slated to compete at the Irish Open and will also appear in next week’s BMW PGA Championship. McIlroy believes that, regardless of how the restructuring unfolds, the inclusion of former LIV players on the DP World Tour will ultimately make that circuit stronger.
"The health of the DP World Tour is in a really good spot," he added. "They have a wonderful alliance with the PGA Tour. I think that alliance is only going to get stronger, especially with the PGA Tour committing to working with the DP World Tour for some of these international events at this time of the year going forward." He explained that PGA Tour players often have a five‑month lull in their schedule, and adding more high‑profile competitors to DP World Tour events would fill that gap and raise the overall quality of play.
"Overall, with the way things are working out, it's a very good thing for the golf ecosystem. It only makes these tournaments stronger with more competitive players in them," McIlroy concluded.
Looking ahead to the 2027 Ryder Cup, which will be held at Adare Manor in Ireland, European captain Luke Donald acknowledged that there remains uncertainty about which players will stay with LIV Golf and which will return to the traditional tours. He suggested that the prospect of representing Europe in the Ryder Cup could be a decisive factor for many.
"There's still some uncertainty," Donald said. "Time will tell to see where those guys land.
Obviously, you want your best players available, and you want them playing as many counting events as possible." Donald explained that the Ryder Cup qualification system rewards players who compete in a higher number of DP World Tour events, meaning that a golfer like Jon Rahm or Tyrrell Hatton would improve his chances of making the team by playing more frequently on that circuit. "If not, we'll see what happens. But I don't really determine their schedules or where they play. But I know a lot of these guys, the Ryder Cup is high up on their priority list.
So I'm sure they will be thinking about that," he added. The Irish Open will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with the first round starting at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday on Sky Sports Golf and the remaining three days shown on Sky Sports+. Additional coverage times are listed for Friday (9 a.m.
and 3 p.m.) and the weekend (2:30 p.m. on Saturday and 1:30 p.m.
on Sunday). Viewers can also stream the action via NOW without a contract, and Sky Sports will provide full coverage of the Solheim Cup as well. For golf enthusiasts looking to play the sport themselves, a separate service offers the ability to compare rates and book a round at any of more than 1,700 courses across the United Kingdom and Ireland. Users can enter a course name, city, or postal code to find available tee times and special offers.
In summary, McIlroy’s assessment reflects a broader industry consensus that the future of LIV Golf remains uncertain, and that a number of its players may eventually migrate back to the established tours. This potential influx of talent could enhance the competitiveness of the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour, while also reshaping the landscape of professional golf as the sport prepares for upcoming marquee events such as the Irish Open, the BMW PGA Championship, and the 2027 Ryder Cup.