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 organization has moved to seek bankruptcy protection and is planning a revamped version of the league for next season. McIlroy’s comments came after LIV Golf announced on Tuesday that it is collaborating with its new lead investor, BC Partners, to restructure the business and launch a refreshed product, dubbed "LIV 2.0," in 2025. As part of that restructuring plan, the league filed for Chapter 11 protection in a New Jersey federal court, a step that signals serious financial strain. The filing follows a major funding cut from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
In April, the PIF disclosed that it would cease its financial support for LIV Golf after the conclusion of the 2026 season. Over the five‑year lifespan of the league, from its inception in 2021, the PIF had poured roughly $5 billion (about £3.6 billion) into the venture. The withdrawal of that backing has left the league scrambling to find a sustainable revenue model. According to sources at Sky News, LIV Golf’s players are presently in negotiations with league officials to decide whether they will remain on the schedule through 2027 or opt to leave for more stable opportunities.
High‑profile members such as Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau have been deliberately vague about their long‑term plans. Rahm, however, told reporters on Tuesday that he has a contract with LIV Golf that he is "more than willing to fulfil," indicating at least a short‑term commitment. McIlroy, who has previously warned that returning to the DP World Tour or the PGA Tour could be a "tough road back" for former LIV players, added on Wednesday that the presence of those players could actually increase the competitiveness of the traditional tours. "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 Amgen Irish Open and will also appear in next week’s BMW PGA Championship.
McIlroy believes that the eventual integration of LIV players into the DP World Tour will bolster the tour’s overall health. "The health of the DP World Tour is in a really good spot," he noted. "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 continued, "So you have PGA Tour players really with nothing to do for five months in this period.
If whoever else is incorporated into these tournaments, that makes them more competitive. 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." Looking ahead to the 2027 Ryder Cup, which will be held at Adare Manor in Ireland, European captain Luke Donald acknowledged lingering uncertainty about which LIV Golf players will stay on the rebel circuit versus those who might return to the traditional tours.
Donald said the prospect of playing in the Ryder Cup could be a decisive factor for many. "There's still some uncertainty," he 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." He explained that the qualification system for the Ryder Cup rewards players who compete in a higher number of DP World Tour events, giving them a better chance to finish in the top six spots needed for automatic selection.
"So that's obviously great. 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," Donald added. The Amgen Irish Open will be broadcast in its entirety by Sky Sports, with the first round kicking off at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday on Sky Sports Golf and the remaining three rounds airing live on Sky Sports+.
Coverage on Friday will feature two sessions at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., while the weekend action begins at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and 1:30 p.m.
on Sunday. After the Solheim Cup, all three days will also be available on Sky Sports Golf. Golf fans can also stream the tournament via NOW without a contract, and they can explore discounted rates for tee times at over 1,700 courses throughout the UK and Ireland.
In summary, McIlroy’s assessment reflects a broader industry reality: the financial turbulence facing LIV Golf is likely to prompt a wave of departures, which in turn could enrich the depth and excitement of the DP World Tour and PGA Tour events. While the exact timeline and roster changes remain fluid, the consensus among players, officials, and commentators is that the evolving landscape will ultimately benefit the sport by fostering greater competition and offering fans a more compelling viewing experience.