Rory McIlroy has said LIV Golf was "half a good idea, executed poorly" and that the circuit wasted the capital it had. The six-time major winner, one of LIV's most vocal critics since it launched in 2022, said the breakaway series could have done "better things" with its vast resources.
McIlroy's verdict on LIV's failings
Speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy forum in New Delhi, where he is playing this week in the DP World India Championship, McIlroy said: "LIV had probably half of a good idea that was executed pretty poorly."
He added: "They had a lot of capital but I think a lot of that capital was wasted in some ways and I think they could have used that money a lot more strategically and could have partnered with some of the governing bodies of the game and certainly could have done better things with it instead of just enriching tour pros who were already making a lot of money."
Financial troubles and player departures
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) invested £3.7bn over four years, luring players like Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau away from the PGA Tour, before withdrawing its support this year, leading to Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the United States. Despite securing possible $300m (£226m) in financing from BC Partners Credit, uncertainty remains around LIV's future.
McIlroy said: "BC Partners have come in and seen an opportunity (but) it looks like every day that goes by there's another player that was on LIV who is not going to join LIV 2.0 so I think it is going to be very difficult to get out of this Chapter 11 bankruptcy and go forward."
Impact on the traditional game
Rahm has already announced he will not be continuing, and news this week that any player signing up for LIV will be barred from DP World Tour membership and Ryder Cup eligibility has delivered a crippling blow.
McIlroy added: "I'm sure some members who stayed loyal would feel hard done by if these guys can just walk straight back in but, on the other side, having these players back on the tour is good for business and it can drive revenues up and everyone can benefit from that."
He concluded: "I would vote for them to come back. A rising tide lifts all boats and I think having some of these players back is beneficial for the business of the tours."
