Rory McIlroy tries not to be ‘judgemental’ before immediate dig at LIV Golf rebels

May 9, 2026 - 12:00

Rory McIlroy has aimed a dig at LIV Golf players who do not want to return to the PGA Tour.

The Masters champion has never hidden his detraction of the once-Saudi-led breakaway tour and opened up on the recent concerns surrounding LIV Golf’s future.

Rory McIlroy at the Truist Championship — Rory McIlroy was again highly outspoken on LIV Golf and its bleak future after moving into contention at the Truist Championship

Following the news that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is to withdraw its backing at the end of the year, a host of star names now find their futures in limbo.

Bryson DeChambeau this week claimed he could put his efforts into his YouTube channel in the event of a LIV Golf collapse, rather than return to the PGA Tour.

The American’s LIV contract ends this summer and it is understood that he would be welcomed back to the PGA Tour – although it would likely come with heavy financial punishment.

The door to a return is also open for Jon Rahm however his contractual situation is a little more complicated with his deal expiring in 2027.

In December, the PGA Tour changed its rules to allow former LIV star and five-time major champion Brooks Koepka to make his return.

However, Rahm, DeChambeau and Cameron Smith did not take up the opportunity of a homecoming – and terms are expected to be more severe moving forward.

No Sympathy for LIV’s plight

Discussing the situation after posting a four-under 67 at the Truist Championship, McIlroy said: “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. It’s never been for me.

“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.”

Asked what the route back to the PGA Tour would look like for interested players, he added: “It’s a question if they do want to come back. Obviously we have seen the quotes over the last few days.

Bryson DeChambeau of Crushers GC looks on from second green during day one of LIV Golf Mexico City at Club de Golf Chapultepec on April 16, 2026 — Bryson DeChambeau could be one LIV Golf star to soon return to the PGA Tour

Jon Rahm speaks before a LIV Golf event — Jon Rahm’s long-term future is unclear with 18 months still to run on his LIV deal

“And, you know, 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.

“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.

“So, but again I think there’s going to be a lot of sort of bridges to cross to get there, just because, you know, obviously the guys over there are under contract and if they are able to keep it going and get a schedule together next year, it seems like those guys are still going to play the majority of their golf on LIV, in whatever form it takes.”

McIlroy was then asked if he was surprised that LIV Golf players have been outspoken about not wanting to return to the PGA Tour.

LIV Golf player Anirban Lahiri recently told The Times he knows ‘at least a dozen players who’d rather not play golf than go back to the PGA Tour’.

McIlroy replied: “Yeah, which is totally fine. Like, again, I think I’ve said at the start, I was probably too judgmental with the guys that went because I was seeing it from my point of view and maybe not seeing it from other points of view.

Rory McIlroy at the 2025 US Open. — McIlroy is competing at this week’s Truist Championship – his first event since the Masters

“But again, I’m not going to judge anyone for not wanting to play on the PGA Tour.

“I don’t know, you know, does that mean that they go play DP World Tour maybe; if that’s a pathway, that would make the DP World Tour stronger, and I would be delighted with that, because that’s my home Tour, at the end of the day.

“But this is, if you want to be the most competitive golfer you can be, this (PGA Tour) is the place to be. And if you don’t want to play here, I think that says something about you.”

McIlroy is competing for the first time since claiming his second successive Masters title last month.

The four-time winner at Quail Hollow hit six birdies and a bogey at the last hole to card a 67 placing him eighth in five under par and four strokes behind leaders Sungjae Im.

“I hit a lot closer, especially on some of the par threes,” said McIlroy. “Holed a couple of extra putts which always helps. It was a solid day.

“Overall it was a good day, and it was a good day to get myself back in the hunt and feel like I have a real chance going into the weekend.”