Rory McIlroy has suggested that a number of golfers currently under contract with LIV Golf could soon decide to leave the breakaway circuit and look for playing opportunities elsewhere. His comments come in the wake of LIV Golf's recent announcement that it has entered into a restructuring plan with its new principal investor, BC Partners, and that it has filed for bankruptcy protection in a New Jersey court as part of a broader effort to relaunch a revamped version of the league next year, informally dubbed "LIV 2.0." The restructuring move follows a dramatic shift in financial backing earlier this year when Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), disclosed that it would cease funding the league after the conclusion of the 2026 season. The PIF had poured roughly $5 billion (about £3.6 billion) into LIV Golf since its inception in 2021, a sum that has been widely reported as a key driver behind the league's ability to attract top‑ranked talent with lucrative contracts. With that cash flow now slated to dry up, the league faces a pivotal crossroads.
According to sources at Sky News, many of the players currently on LIV's roster are in active discussions with the organization about whether they intend to remain on the circuit through 2027 or to seek greener pastures. High‑profile members such as Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau have been deliberately vague about their long‑term plans, but Rahm did tell reporters on Tuesday that he holds a contract with LIV Golf that he is "more than willing to fulfil." This statement, while reassuring to the league, does not rule out the possibility that he or others might eventually opt for a different tour if the financial or competitive landscape changes. 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 arrival of former LIV members could actually benefit the established tours by raising the overall level of competition.
"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]." He went on to explain that the departure of any players would create opportunities for the DP World Tour and PGA Tour to strengthen their fields. "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," McIlroy remarked. Both Rahm and his European Tour teammate Tyrrell Hatton are slated to tee off at the Amgen Irish Open and will also compete in next week's BMW PGA Championship. Their participation underscores the fluid nature of player affiliations at this moment, as many golfers are weighing the benefits of staying with LIV against the prestige and stability offered by the traditional tours. McIlroy also emphasized that the health of the DP World Tour is currently strong, largely due to its strategic alliance with the PGA Tour.
"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 said. He noted that PGA Tour players often have a five‑month lull in their schedule, and integrating additional high‑caliber competitors—whether from LIV or elsewhere—into those gaps would make tournaments more compelling for fans and sponsors alike. "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 uncertainty still surrounds which players will continue to compete for LIV Golf. 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 accumulate points by playing in DP World Tour events. "You set your qualification system to try and determine who those top six guys are, and the more someone like a Jon Rahm or Tyrrell Hatton, if they are playing more events on the DP World Tour, they are going to have a better opportunity to fill one of those top six. So that's obviously great." He added that while he cannot dictate individual schedules, the Ryder Cup remains high on the priority list for most top players, and that could sway decisions about whether to stay with LIV or return to the traditional tours.
Broadcast details: Sky Sports will air all four rounds of the Amgen Irish Open, beginning at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday on the Sky Sports Golf channel, with the remaining three days streamed live on Sky Sports+.
Friday's coverage includes two sessions at 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., while weekend action kicks off 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. Viewers can also access the latest Sky Sports deals or stream golf without a contract via NOW.
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