Rory McIlroy says LIV Golf’s funding uncertainty could open a path back for Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and others ... if they want it.
Rory McIlroy didn’t just climb into the Truist Championship mix Friday. He also stepped directly into the biggest golf conversation of the week: LIV Golf’s uncertain future and whether stars like Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm could eventually return to the PGA Tour.
McIlroy shot a 4-under 67 in the second round at Quail Hollow, moving inside the top 10 at an event he’s won four times.
But after the round, the world No. 2 was asked about reports that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is pulling back future funding from LIV Golf.
McIlroy, who has softened his public stance on LIV in recent years, still didn’t miss the chance to make his point.
“I think everyone sort of knows my views on LIV and where it stands in the game of golf. I don’t think I need to rehash any of that,” McIlroy said.
“It’s never been for me and, look, it doesn’t mean that LIV is going to go away. They’re going to go and try and find alternative investment, whatever that may look like. But when one of the wealthiest sovereign wealth funds in the world thinks that you’re too expensive for them, that sort of says something.”
That line will travel.
Rahm remains under contract with LIV and has said he doesn’t currently see a clear exit. DeChambeau, however, could become a free agent after the 2026 season, making his next move one of the biggest storylines in professional golf.
His booming YouTube presence could complicate things, especially if PGA Tour content rules limit what he can create.
McIlroy said the first question is simple... Do LIV players actually want back in?
“It’s a question if they do want to come back,” McIlroy said.
“Obviously we have seen the quotes over the last few days. And, it seems like some of the guys, if -- again, it all depends on what happens to LIV -- but if it is a scenario where they have the option to come back and play on the traditional tours, you know, I think Brian Rolapp has said anything that makes this Tour stronger, anything that makes the DP World Tour stronger, I think everyone should be open to that. That’s just good business practice.”
McIlroy also left the door open for LIV players to rebuild through the DP World Tour, but his final message sounded like a challenge.
“Which is totally fine. Like, again, I think I’ve said at the start, I was probably too judgmental with the guys that went because I was seeing it from my point of view and maybe not seeing it from other points of view. But again, I’m not going to judge anyone for not wanting to play on the PGA Tour.
“Does that mean that they go play DP World Tour, maybe? If that’s a pathway, that would make the DP World Tour stronger, and I would be delighted with that, because that’s my home tour at the end of the day.
“But this is -- if you want to be the most competitive golfer you can be, this is the place to be. And if you don’t want to play here, I think that says something about you.”
For DeChambeau, Rahm and the rest of LIV’s biggest names, McIlroy’s message was clear: the PGA Tour pathway may reopen, but returning means proving you still want the toughest stage.
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