Rory McIlroy digs into LIV Golf regret and sheds light on Jon Rahm Ryder Cup chances
Rory McIlroy was the most vocal critic of the LIV Golf breakaway when it was announced in 2023, but his stance has softened.
Rory McIlroy has opened up about his previous stance on the LIV Golf controversy, expressing remorse for not showing enough "empathy" towards fellow golfers during the divisive period. The golf star, who had been a vocal critic of the breakaway and its players, reflected on his actions before last week's Canadian Open, admitting he might have approached the situation differently.
Previously acting as the PGA Tour's unofficial voice against the LIV Golf series, McIlroy didn't hold back in criticising the tour and those players, including big names like Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau, who left for the lucrative Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf.
However, following a secret "framework agreement" for a potential merger between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF) that was negotiated without his knowledge a year ago, McIlroy's views have shifted. Now 35, he is advocating for the reunification of professional golf at the elite level.
On the Beyond The Clubhouse podcast, ahead of The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village, McIlroy shared his reflections when probed about his early reactions to the schism within professional golf.
He quipped about perhaps investing too much emotionally without much return, saying, "Maybe putting so much into it and not really getting that much back in return."
McIlroy acknowledged that individuals will make choices they believe are best for themselves, adding, "But I think people are going to do what they're going to do. People are, ultimately going to make decisions that they feel is the best thing for themselves.
"For me, I maybe just didn't have the empathy to understand where people were coming from whenever they decided to go to LIV. A couple of years down the line, I've got a better perspective on it.
"It's created this divide in the game, which is unfortunate, but hopefully in the future, we can all come back together, which will be great for everyone involved in golf. We see it four times a year and I think we need to see it more times than that."
Related articles
The final details of the merger of the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and PIF are yet to be agreed 12 months on from the announcement of the framework agreement, with numerous deadlines missed and directors resigning from the PGA Tour Policy Board in frustration over a lack of progress.
McIlroy was asked if a solution by 2026 would be satisfactory for him. He said: "These things take time, these things don't happen overnight and there are going to have to be compromises made on both sides. 2026, if that just means we've got a year and a half left of this and 2026 looks a little different, I actually think that's a pretty good timeline considering all the things that have to be worked out."
Jon Rahm's Ryder Cup prospects are hanging in the balance following his bombshell switch to LIV Golf last December, casting doubt over his participation in Luke Donald's squad for the 2025 showdown at Bethpage Black. McIlroy, however, left no room for speculation regarding Rahm's place on the team as they aim to reclaim the trophy.
"Absolutely," McIlroy declared, when asked whether Rahm should continue to feature.
"I don't see a world where Jon Rahm isn't on the Ryder Cup team. We need him, he's great in the team room and everyone loves him. Especially at Bethpage next time, we need Jon Rahm on that team. We need all the help we can get [with the crowds]."
