Rory McIlroy admits he was wrong about LIV Golf, expressing relief at the recent developments. He believes the PGA Tour should accept funding from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund to improve men's professional golf.
Key points
Rory McIlroy admits he was wrong about LIV Golf
McIlroy supports PGA Tour accepting Saudi funding
PIF announced it will pull LIV Golf funding
Negotiations between PIF and PGA Tour broke down
McIlroy believes this is crucial for men's professional golf
Mentioned in this story
Rory McIlroyPGA TourPublic Investment Fund
LIV Golf
NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. â Rory McIlroy is glad he was wrong about LIV Golf.
âI can admit when I'm wrong, and that was one that I did get wrong,â he said on Tuesday at a press conference ahead of the 108th PGA Championship.
Following the Framework Agreement signing in June 2023, McIlroy came to believe that the best end result for menâs professional golf was for the PGA Tour to accept funding from Saudi Arabiaâs Public Investment and bring LIV Golf into the fold, saying âit should and will be done.â While negotiations progressed in that direction, PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan and PGA Tour brass could never find common ground and talks broke off last year. It looked as if both sides were bracing for a long battle until PIF announced last month it would be pulling its funding of LIV at the end of the year.
The 18th hole and clubhoues at the Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.
The first hole at the Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.
The seventh hole at the Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.
The seventh hole at the Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.
Q&A
What did Rory McIlroy say about LIV Golf?
Rory McIlroy expressed that he was glad to be wrong about LIV Golf and acknowledged the need for the PGA Tour to accept funding from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
Why did Rory McIlroy change his stance on LIV Golf?
McIlroy changed his stance after the Framework Agreement signing in June 2023, believing it was the best outcome for men's professional golf.
What is the current status of LIV Golf funding?
The Public Investment Fund announced it would be pulling its funding of LIV Golf at the end of the year, impacting future operations.
What are the implications of the PGA Tour accepting Saudi funding?
Accepting Saudi funding could lead to significant changes in men's professional golf, potentially uniting the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.
The clubhouse at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.
âI think it was always a possibility to happen,â McIlroy said. âLook, I think everyone knows like with everything that's happening in the Middle East, that had a lot to do; but whenever you have funding tied so much to the geopolitical landscape in the world, that's a tricky road to navigate. Yeah, their priorities shifted, and that lives LIV in a pretty precarious spot, but again, that was always -- it was always a possibility.â
McIlroy said he began hearing rumors that LIVâs support might be on shaky footing even before the players on the renegade circuit.
âLike I was hearing about this back in March, April time,â he said.
Rory McIlroy speaks with the media before a practice round of the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club.
Rory McIlroy speaks with the media before a practice round of the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club.
McIlroy broke into a story about how he asked good friend Ricky McCormick, who caddies for fellow Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin, if he had heard any of the rumors that heâd heard.
âHe was like, âNo, everything seems OK over here,ââ McIlroy recounted. âIt just feels like the rug was pulled from under their feet and everyone was sort of blind-sided by it.
âBut again, that's the risk that those guys chose to take. As I said, there's a lot of uncertainty in the air right now.â
McIlroy said he was unaware of the future prospects of LIV, which has announced it is seeking to revamp its business model and find new financial backers.
âI'm not privy to the deals they have. I guess from what I read they've got some sponsorship revenue for I don't know how long that those commitments are,â he said. âIf they do somehow get a schedule together for next year, it seems like it's going to look drastically different to what it's looked like over the last four years.â
