Rory McIlroy: LIV will not be ‘slowing down’

Rory McIlroy envisions a future where LIV Golf continues to strengthen, even amidst talks of a potential merger with the PGA Tour. He suggests that top players from both tours might eventually compete in each other’s events. The first official meeting between the parties is scheduled to occur in New York on Friday. McIlroy, after completing his second round at the Memorial Tournament, plans to join the discussions via video call.

This meeting will bring together significant figures such as Tiger Woods, Adam Scott, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, Yasir Al-Rumayyan (governor of the Saudi Public Investment Fund, which finances LIV), and John Henry, Liverpool FC owner and leader of a consortium that has invested over £1 billion into the Tour’s new for-profit entity. Despite the absence of the DP World Tour, which relies on Monahan to advocate for its interests, McIlroy acknowledges that key decision-makers on the PGA Tour side will lead the discussions.

“There will be individuals from the PGA Tour who will spearhead this,” McIlroy remarked. “It’s not going to be Adam, Tiger, or me. The negotiations are about an investment in the PGA Tour Enterprises, involving figures like Jay, Joe Gorder, Joe Ogilvie, and John Henry. We’re there to provide a player’s perspective, but this is primarily a business discussion. I plan to listen more than talk.”

The policy board, with a player-elected majority, will ultimately decide whether to accept any proposed deal. While McIlroy initially thought LIV would be integrated into a new structure, he now believes that the tours will need to coexist peacefully for harmony in the golf world.

“I don’t see LIV slowing down in the coming years,” McIlroy stated. “They’re expanding, with office space in New York and over 200 employees. There’s no indication that they’re planning to stop playing over there. Some players have contracts extending to 2028 or 2029. Looking ahead, LIV will continue its trajectory, but hopefully with more collaboration and understanding between the tours, allowing for cross-participation.”

The importance of the summit prompted McIlroy to consider flying to New York after his second round at Muirfield Village, but he will participate remotely after scoring a 70 in the opening round. The situation is complex, requiring U.S. Department of Justice approval. McIlroy mentioned the possibility of the PIF having a “passive investment” and expressed hope for a resolution.

“My stance on LIV has softened,” McIlroy noted. “LIV players are contracted for 14 events, but the other 38 weeks are free. The challenge lies in scheduling tournaments across various tours within a limited number of weeks. The complexity is in determining the logistics: which tournaments, when, and involving which players.”

In summary, McIlroy foresees a future where both tours grow and collaborate, allowing players to participate in events across both platforms.