Rory McIlroy makes Tiger Woods admission with latest thoughts on LIV Golf

Rory McIlroy has admitted he rallied so hard against LIV Golf in the beginning because he and Tiger Woods had more to lose.

The six-time major champion has now revealed he would support the return of players who defected to the Saudi-backed circuit, insisting the breakaway league no longer represents the same threat to professional golf as it did when it first launched in 2022.

McIlroy has been one of LIV Golf's most vocal opponents since its formation, but recent developments have raised further questions about the league's long-term future.

LIV Golf is fighting for its future and, despite securing a $300m investment from BC Partners, continues to face uncertainty. 

Players have until 25 October to commit to the league. 

Speaking to Bloomberg in New Delhi ahead of the DP World India Championship, McIlroy criticised how LIV had used its considerable financial resources.

"LIV had probably half of a good idea that was executed pretty poorly," McIlroy said.

"They had a lot of capital but I think a lot of that capital was wasted in some ways. 

"I think they could have used that money a lot more strategically and they could have partnered with some of the governing bodies of the game.

"They certainly could have done better things with it, instead of just enriching tour pros who were already making a lot of money."

The Northern Irishman also made it clear that he would welcome the opportunity for former LIV players to return to the traditional tours, believing their presence could benefit professional golf commercially.

Asked whether he would vote in favour of allowing those players back, McIlroy replied: "Yes, I would.

"I think a rising tide lifts all boats. And I think having some of these players back is beneficial for the business of the tours, absolutely."

His comments come as LIV attempts to establish a clear direction for the future following the withdrawal of its original financial backer, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.

McIlroy believes the recent uncertainty surrounding the league, combined with players reconsidering their commitments, could make it increasingly difficult for LIV to recover.

He said: "It looks like every day that goes by, there's another player that was on LIV who says that they're not going to rejoin for LIV 2.0.

"So I think it is going to be very difficult for them to get out of this Chapter 11 bankruptcy and go forward.

"If they do, it's certainly not going to be a threat to the traditional order of the game as maybe it once was."

The DP World Tour has also taken a firm position on the situation, announcing that players who commit to LIV's 2027 season will not be permitted to retain membership of the European-based circuit.

McIlroy became one of the most outspoken critics of LIV when it emerged in 2022.

Reflecting on his opposition to the breakaway circuit, the world number two admitted that he and Woods had significant personal and professional reasons for being concerned about its impact.

"We were probably the two that had the most to lose," he said. 

"We both felt this wasn't good for the game and it was going to fracture the game.

"But also, everyone around the game has interests and we were about to launch TGL and we thought LIV could have taken something away from TGL, which it did because some players went to LIV and you had to be a PGA Tour member to play in TGL.

"Everyone has different interests in the game. You're trying to protect your interests but also the interests of the game as a whole."

TGL, the indoor team golf competition developed with Woods, required players to hold PGA Tour membership. 

As a result, golfers who moved to LIV were unable to participate, creating a potential conflict between the rival organisations.

The division between the traditional tours and LIV also had a personal impact on McIlroy, who admitted that his relationships with some fellow professionals changed following their decisions to join the breakaway circuit.

Several players who previously competed alongside him on European Ryder Cup teams moved to LIV, resulting in fewer opportunities to see one another on the course.

McIlroy said: "Yes, certainly people I played with on European Ryder Cup teams that I'm not as close with anymore.

"We had a difference of opinion on the future of golf but I don't think that's something to lose friends over, but we also just didn't see each other anymore.

"They didn't play the same tournaments, they weren't eligible for the Ryder Cup, they weren't qualifying for the major championships.

"When you don't live in the same places as these people, you lose touch."