Rory McIlroy has opened up about his plans for the closing weeks of the golfing season, while Jon Rahm is set to walk away from more than £75m by leaving LIV Golf.
The world No. 2 has consciously limited his schedule in recent years and reaped the benefits, winning back-to-back Masters titles. McIlroy is part of the field at the DP World India Championship in New Delhi, playing alongside reigning champion Tommy Fleetwood in his opening round on Thursday.
McIlroy targets record-equalling eighth order of merit title
The Northern Irishman still has a chance to top the order of merit for a record-equalling eighth time, aiming to match Colin Montgomerie's record. The reigning Masters champion sat third going into this week's tournament in New Delhi but within touching distance of leader Patrick Reed and second-placed Eugenio Chacarra.
“I have to concentrate on myself,” McIlroy said after his opening round of 70 in India. “I know a good week here, that’ll set me up well for the last two weeks in the Middle East and my track record in the Middle East is really good.”
He added: “I don’t need to be leading going into the last two weeks, but if I can just eat into that lead a little bit, I feel like I’ll have a really good chance in those final two events.”
Rahm sacrifices £75m in LIV exit
After this week's tournament, McIlroy is set to take part in the Abu Dhabi Championship and the Tour Championship in Dubai. He has impressed in the UAE in recent years, finishing tied for third in Abu Dhabi in 2025 and being pipped to the Dubai title after a play-off against Matt Fitzpatrick.
Jon Rahm is among the high-profile stars who has decided to walk away from LIV Golf. However, the deal reached between the Spaniard and the tour will see him sacrifice more than £75m, relating to the remainder of his contract with the tour, which he signed ahead of the 2024 season.
The agreement between Rahm and LIV will need to be ratified by US Bankruptcy Court of New Jersey Judge Michael B Kaplan on November 5. “Mr. Rahm has independently reviewed the proposed terms of LIV 2.0 and has determined that those terms are unacceptable to him, and he will not be participating going forward in LIV 2.0,” Rahm's lawyer John Beck said earlier this month.
Per the separation agreement, the 31-year-old will retain control of name and image rights, including the 'Rahmbo' nickname and the 'Legion XIII' team name. BC Partners has replaced PIF as the backer for LIV 2.0, with Judge Kaplan approving an agreement this week. Players have until October 25 to decide whether to take part and some, including Rahm's compatriot Sergio Garcia, have begun exploring other options.
