Rory McIlroy strongly denies PGA Tour rumour after LIV Golf announcement

Rory McIlroy has dismissed claims that his upcoming match alongside Scottie Scheffler against LIV Golf stars Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau was arranged to send a message to the PGA Tour. The high-profile contest, set to take place in December in Las Vegas, marks the first instance of PGA Tour players facing off against LIV Golf competitors outside of major tournaments and the Olympics.

LIV Golf, backed by Saudi Arabian investors, launched in mid-2022, sparking a fierce rivalry with the PGA Tour. In an effort to resolve this ongoing conflict, merger discussions between the two organizations are currently in progress.

Ahead of the Amgen Irish Open, McIlroy was asked whether the December match was a deliberate attempt to accelerate these talks. He rejected that notion, explaining that the goal was to offer something exciting for golf fans during the offseason. “I wouldn’t say it’s meant to send a message,” McIlroy stated. “We just wanted to do something that all fans could get excited about.”

McIlroy emphasized that golf enthusiasts deserve to see top players compete more frequently, beyond the four major tournaments each year. “This is what could happen,” he added, referring to the possibility of more crossover events. “We thought it was a good idea, especially with not much happening in December, to generate some excitement before the golf season starts again.”

In June 2023, both PGA Tour and LIV Golf players were shocked by the announcement that the rival organizations had agreed, in principle, to merge. However, negotiations have since been slow, and talks resumed in New York this week. The meeting, coinciding with the anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, sparked controversy. 9/11 Families United, a group of survivors and victims’ families, has long opposed LIV Golf due to its ties to Saudi Arabia.

McIlroy, however, denied any direct involvement in the ongoing merger discussions. “I think we’re all trying to find a solution and move forward, so we’ll see,” he said.

The potential outcome of the merger could have significant implications for the Ryder Cup. Currently, European LIV Golf players are barred from competing on the DP World Tour unless they pay fines for joining the Saudi-backed league. One such player, former world No.1 Jon Rahm, has publicly stated that he will not pay these fines, meaning he would be ineligible to represent Europe at the Ryder Cup in Bethpage next September.

In addition, LIV tournaments have not yet been recognized by the Official Golf World Rankings, further complicating the status of LIV players in major events. The situation remains fluid as both sides work toward a resolution.