Rory McIlroy speaks out on LIV Golf losing funding; DeChambeau and Rahm's possible paths back to the PGA Tour

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Rory McIlroy carded a 4-under 67 in the second round of the Truist Championship on Friday to move inside the top 10 at a tournament he's won four times, but even with the World No. 2 climbing into contention in Charlotte, the big topic of conversation in the golf world is the future of LIV Golf.

That included McIlroy's post-round press conference, where he spoke for the first time about LIV losing funding from the Saudi Arabia PIF. While McIlroy has opted to no longer lead the charge against LIV and take a much more diplomatic tone when discussing the rival tour, he can't help but get a dig in when the opportunity presents itself.

"I think everyone sort of knows my views on LIV and where it stands in the game of golf. I don't think I need to rehash any of that," McIlroy said. "It's never been for me and, look, it doesn't mean that LIV is going to go away. They're going to go and try and find alternative investment, whatever that may look like. But when one of the wealthiest sovereign wealth funds in the world thinks that you're too expensive for them, that sort of says something."

Much of the conversation in the weeks since LIV's funding concerns became news has been about the potential return of stars like Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau to the PGA Tour. Rahm is still under contract and recently noted he didn't see a way out of his deal, but DeChambeau is a free agent after the 2026 season.

However, he's voiced his concerns about a return to the PGA Tour, citing among other things their policy on content creation and the limitations he may face in maximizing his YouTube channel if he returned.

When McIlroy was asked about what the path back should be for guys who left for LIV, he noted he wants the PGA Tour to be as strong as possible, but felt the real question is whether the LIV guys really want to return.

"It's a question if they do want to come back. Obviously we have seen the quotes over the last few days," McIlroy said. "And, it seems like some of the guys, if -- again, it all depends on what happens to LIV -- but if it is a scenario where they have the option to come back and play on the traditional tours, you know, I think Brian Rolapp has said anything that makes this Tour stronger, anything that makes the DP World Tour stronger, I think everyone should be open to that. That's just good business practice."