Rory McIlroy delivers blunt new verdict on LIV Golf’s future

Rory McIlroy has delivered a pointed new assessment of LIV Golf’s long-term prospects, insisting the breakaway league is heading into a period of serious financial strain as major player contracts approach renewal.

Speaking at CNBC’s CEO Council Forum in Palm Beach Gardens, McIlroy, 36, argued that LIV Golf’s entire model hinges on another massive round of spending if it hopes to maintain its current roster.

McIlroy sceptical of LIV's future

McIlroy considers the Saudi-bankrolled league has hit something of a sticking point as several headline signings move towards the end of their initial deals.

In the Ulsterman's view, LIV will be forced to fork out more money to keep them from drifting back to the PGA Tour.

“LIV’s spent $5 or $6 billion, and they’re going to have to spend another five or six just to maintain where they are,” McIlroy revealed during the forum.

McIlroy's latest comment comes a month after Dustin Johnson confirmed he has penned an extension deal on LIV Golf, and talks are said to be ongoing where Bryson DeChambeau, arguably the league's most valuable asset right now, is concerned. 

Despite McIlroy's assessment, there are hopes on LIV that all of their leading lights will stick rather than twist over the coming years. 

LIV Golf has only announced one notable signing for 2026 so far in Frenchman Victor Perez.

The league's biggest story entering their fourth full season and fifth overall is a dramatic switch from 54 to 72 holes — an adjustment intended to strengthen its case for Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. 

However, there is still no sign of OWGR recognition, and many LIV players have tumbled down the rankings and in danger of falling short of the majors as a result.

The appeals process surrounding DP World Tour fines for both Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton also remains unresolved as we head into 2026. 

McIlroy casts doubt over pro golf unification

While McIlroy is keen to see some form of unification in the pro game moving forwards, he finds it hard to believe it will ever happen. 

“Golf is such a good place, but at the same time, you see some of these other sports that have been fractured for so long,” said McIlroy. 

“You look at boxing for example, or you look at what’s happened in motor racing in the United States with Indy and NASCAR and everything else, I think for golf in general it would be better if there was unification.

“But I just think with what’s happened over the last few years, it’s just going to be very difficult to be able to do that.”

McIlroy backs new PGA Tour boss Rolapp

But back to McIlroy, and while his stance on LIV remains cautious, the World No.2 offered unambiguous support for new PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp, who officially took over from Jay Monahan in June.

McIlroy said of former NFL executive Rolapp: “I think everyone on the PGA Tour feels like we're in a good place and trust that his guidance and leadership will position us in the right place.”

Rolapp has already begun reshaping the PGA Tour, with several notable reforms including a Future Competition Committee that will reshape the tour's competitive model, providing a focus on "scarcity" to bring top players together more often.

It is antcipated by Rolapp that the simplification of the PGA Tour season will also make it easier for fans to follow. 

According to PGA Tour pro Harris English, talks are reportedly underway that could see the removal of signature events and the introduction of a more streamlined 20–22-event schedule from 2027.

The committee, chaired by Tiger Woods, will consider a potential reduction in the number of events and the elimination of the current elevated event structure. 

A number of other changes were confirmed this week, including a new Member Support Program that will guarantee $150,000 to players finishing 126th or worse from 2026.

The Korn Ferry Tour will also receive a fresh $15,000 Pathways Player Achievement Grant to support its members.

McIlroy tells wife Erica to "punch" him over green jacket comment

Elsewhere during McIlroy's latest interview, he opened up about his emotional Masters triumph in April, where he finally completed the career Grand Slam. 

The five-time major champion joked he has banned himself from ever complaining about wearing the green jacket again.

He told the audience: “I sort of complained about wearing it in Abu Dhabi, and I said to my wife, Erica, if you ever hear me complain about wearing this thing again, like punch me or do something, because I've waited my whole life to wear this, and I'm complaining about wearing it.”

McIlroy admitted he still becomes emotional reliving the moment he beat Justin Rose in a playoff at Augusta National. 

“If I watch that final scene on the 18th green and I drop to my knees, it's still hard for me not to cry.

“Honestly, like I've dreamt about that moment for so long, and it lived up to everything I thought it would be, and more.”

The Holywood star's golden season also saw him win four tournaments around the world, help Europe win the Ryder Cup away from home, and seal a seventh Race to Dubai title that moves him within one season-long victory of Colin Montgomerie’s all-time record.

He will look to wrap up his year in style next week when going in search of a second career Australian Open title, this time at Royal Melbourne — one of the best golf courses in Australia.