Rory McIlroy has launched a fresh verbal assault on the LIV Golf circuit, appearing to relish its loss of star player Brooks Koepka back to the PGA Tour. The Northern Irishman's comments came as he led the Dubai Invitational after a first-round 66, contrasting sharply with the frustration expressed by other professionals over Koepka's rapid reinstatement.
McIlroy Questions LIV's Strategy and 'Needle' Signings
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, McIlroy pointedly questioned the Saudi-backed league's recruitment drive in the wake of Koepka's departure. Less than a month after leaving his LIV contract a year early, the five-time major champion was welcomed back under a new PGA Tour framework.
"It's not as if they made any huge signings this year, is it?" McIlroy stated. "They haven't signed anyone who moves the needle and I don't think they will." He doubled down, suggesting that even re-signing a player like Bryson DeChambeau for "hundreds of millions of dollars" would not improve LIV's product. "They'll just be paying for the exact same thing," he concluded. "And they've lost Brooks."
Player Division Over Koepka's Swift Return
McIlroy's stance stands in direct opposition to that of 2023 U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark. Clark voiced significant frustration on SiriusXM PGA Tour radio, suggesting Koepka's move sets a problematic precedent.
"If you would have told me that I could have gone for a year-and-a-half, make a boatload of money and then be able to come back, play on the tour, I think almost everyone would have done that," Clark said. He warned that other players might now challenge the system, asking, "Well, you let Brooks do this, why can't I do it?"
The 'Unique Situation' and Tour's Stance
Koepka's return was facilitated by a newly created "Returning Member Program" for major winners since 2022. His specific penalties include a $5 million charity donation and a five-year ban on receiving PGA Tour equity grants. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp described Koepka's case as a "unique situation."
Meanwhile, player director Tiger Woods endorsed the decision, stating it ultimately strengthens the tour. "With Brooks' addition to tour, it does. It makes it a better place to play," Woods said after a TGL match. He framed it as a financial win for player-members, adding, "It's a win for everyone."
The episode highlights the ongoing rift in professional golf, with McIlroy's latest barbs ensuring the bitter feud between the established tour and the Saudi-funded challenger remains firmly in the spotlight.
