Can LIV Golf renew expensive contracts? Rory McIlroy has insight
Josh Peter- Rory McIlroy expressed doubt about a PGA Tour and LIV Golf merger due to LIV's "irrational" spending.
- McIlroy stated that LIV Golf has already spent billions and will need to spend billions more to retain its players.
- He believes unification would be better for golf but sees significant difficulties in achieving it.
- McIlroy compared the current split in golf to long-term fractures seen in other sports like boxing and motor racing.
Rory McIlroy expressed doubts about a possible merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf as long as the Saudi-backed breakaway tour continues “irrational’’ spending.
“I think for golf in general it would be better if there was unification,’’ McIlroy, the five-time major winner, told CNBC's CEO Council Forum. “But I just think with what's happened over the last few years, it's just going to be very difficult to be able to do that.’’
McIlroy said LIV Golf, founded in 2021, has spent $5 billion to $6 billion and is facing billions more in expenses. LIV has contracts with some of golf’s biggest names, including Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, with LIV entering its fifth season in 2026.
"A lot of these guys' contracts are up,’’ McIlroy said. “They're going to ask for the same number or an even bigger number. LIV have spent five or six billion U.S. dollars, and they're going to have to spend another five or six just to maintain where they are.’’
Top players make significantly more on the LIV Golf tour than on the PGA Tour. And with the PGA Tour and LIV Golf having shown no progress toward a merger, McIlroy cited other sports that he said have fractured for a long time.
"You look at boxing, for example, or you look at what's happened in motor racing in the United States with Indy and NASCAR and everything else,’’ he said, adding that unification would in general be better golf.
Referring to LIV, McIlroy also said, “I'm way more comfortable being on the PGA Tour side than on their side, but who knows what'll happen?’’