Rory McIlroy has admitted that the future of LIV Golf is in a “precarious position” and that the PGA Tour was wrong to have previously hoped to receive investment from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Last month, PIF announced that its funding for LIV Golf would end at the end of the 2026 season, indicating that “the significant investment required is no longer consistent with the fund’s future investment strategy.”
McElroy said last year that consolidation between the major men’s golf tours was “the best thing for everyone,” but a framework agreement announced in June 2023 involving the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf was not finalized.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Sky Sports’ Jamie Weir explains what the future holds for LIV golfers after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) confirmed that funding will end at the end of the 2026 season.
The world No. 2 believes there continues to be uncertainty in the men’s game as LIV Golf looks to raise alternative funding to secure its future, but admitted he was “glad” to be wrong about a potential deal involving the PGA Tour and PIF.
“I’m glad I was wrong!” McIlroy said ahead of the PGA Championship, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Golf from Thursday. “I can admit when I’m wrong, and I was wrong. I think it[the PIF funding]could have always happened.”
“I think we all know what’s going on in the Middle East, and it’s had a lot of ramifications… But any time you have money that’s heavily tied to the geopolitical landscape of the world, it’s a difficult road to navigate.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Watch Rory McIlroy chase back-to-back majors live on Sky Sports as the PGA Championship kicks off on Thursday.
“Their (PIF) priorities changed and LIV was put in a pretty precarious situation, but again, it was always a possibility. I feel like a lot of people in this room, including myself, pretty much knew this was going to happen before the players did it. I heard about this in March or April.
“You know, I have friends over there (LIV Golf). One of my best friends, Ricky (McCormick), is Tom McKibbin’s caddy over there and I always talk to him about what’s going on.
Rory McIlroy aims to become the first player to win the first two men’s majors this year since Jordan Spieth in 2015
“Even before I went to Mexico, I was telling Ricky, ‘Have you guys heard anything about this?’ He was like, ‘No, everything seems fine here.’
“It feels like the rug has been pulled out from under them and everyone has been blindsided by it. Again, that’s the risk they’ve chosen for themselves. There’s a lot of uncertainty in the air right now.”
LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neill previously said the event would continue at “full throttle”, but it remains unclear what the circuit will look like beyond this season and which players will continue to participate.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neill says 2026 season will continue “without interruption” amid concerns over future funding
“I don’t know what kind of contract they (LIV Golf) have,” McIlroy added. “From what I’ve read, I think they get sponsorship money, but I don’t know how long that contract is.
“Look, if they can somehow put together a schedule for next year, it’s going to look a lot different than what it’s looked like the last four years.”
Rahm refuses to dwell on LIV Golf’s future
Jon Rahm has moved to LIV Golf ahead of the 2024 season just months after a framework agreement between the major men’s golf tours was announced, with the Spaniard now one of the leading players on the breakaway circuit.
Rahm reached a deal with the DP World Tour last week to maintain his membership and eligibility for next year’s Ryder Cup, but remains on a long-term LIV deal despite questions about his future.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Speaking ahead of the LIV Golf event in Virginia, Jon Rahm explained that he has reached an agreement with the DP World Tour regarding his return from LIV Golf.
“I never thought I’d be at the weight that would tip the scales to get things (a golf tour) together,” Rahm claimed. “It was never a discussion in my mind, I never made a decision based on that.
“I’ve made a lot of decisions in my life, but I’ve never once thought, ‘Oh, if I had known this again, I would have done X and Y differently.’ You can hit about 15 different golf shots on the golf course every day. If I lived my life like that as a golfer, I’d be a very pessimistic person.”
“We don’t know what will happen tomorrow, and all we can do is learn from what happened in the past, both good and bad. There’s not much point in speculating about what could have been or what could have been different.”
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Sky Sports’ Jamie Weir explains the story behind Jon Rahm’s return to the DP World Tour and what it means for LIV Golf
He added: “We all think about what could have been and what could not have been. That’s inevitable. Whatever decisions and choices you make were made for good, considered and well-thought-out reasons, so there’s no point in dwelling on them.”
“That’s some of the things I can’t control. Of the few talents I have in my life, rebuilding a business is not one of them. I might be the worst person at that. My job is to play golf. Luckily, I’m reasonably good at golf and that’s what I can focus on. All I can focus on is the next shot.”
Can Jon Rahm complete Game 3 of his career Grand Slam this week?
“It’s the people in charge of LIV and I don’t envy their work for a second – not now, but when things are going well – because I don’t think that’s something I can do. It’s their job to solve problems.
“When it comes to zoning, it’s really not that big of a deal from that perspective. I trust the work they’re doing. I believe they’ll come up with a good plan.”
“Until that plan is explained to me, I don’t think there’s anything to be concerned about, but I don’t think there’s anything to be concerned about.”
Who will win the PGA Championship? Watch live all week long on Sky Sports. Live coverage of the opening match will begin on Sky Sports Golf from 12.30pm on Thursday. Get and stream Sky Sports without a contract.
