Rory McIlroy has questioned what value LIV Golf players would bring to the PGA Tour if they return to the established circuit.
Speaking at the BMW Championship on Wednesday, McIlroy offered a blunt response when asked about a potential reunion following the collapse of LIV's financial backing.
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund withdrew its support for the breakaway tour in April, leaving LIV searching for new investors and raising questions about the future of players who signed lucrative deals to join it.
While McIlroy acknowledged that unification might happen eventually, he was skeptical about what the returning players would contribute. "I mean, I'd argue have they brought value to LIV?" he said.
Penalties for returning players
Brooks Koepka became the first player to return to the PGA Tour earlier this year. His return came with strict conditions, including a $5 million charity payment and no access to equity.
Koepka was also barred from playing in $20 million signature events unless he earned his place. The PGA Tour valued the total penalties at $50 million and upward.
The tour subsequently offered the same terms, with a two-week deadline, to major champions Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith.
McIlroy noted that top players had their chance to return at the start of the year, suggesting that any future offers would likely be less favorable than the deal Koepka received. This marks a shift from his stance in February 2025, when he suggested players "have to get over it" to facilitate a return.
Scheffler welcomes competition
Scottie Scheffler offered a more welcoming view on playing against the defectors again, while acknowledging that sanctions would be necessary.
"When we talk about the best players, LIV has a few players that are really good," Scheffler said. "I think the depth that we have on our tour is unmatched, but I think when you look at the higher levels of LIV Golf there's definitely some players that would provide a lot of value to the tour, and guys that I love competing against as well."
He added: "So I think going forward there obviously has to be, I think, some sort of penalties." Scheffler stated that the nature of those penalties would be up to PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp.
LIV Golf cuts season short
Meanwhile, LIV Golf is ending its current season a week earlier than scheduled.
The circuit announced on Monday that it will not hold its team championship in Michigan next week. Instead, the team champion will be crowned this week at an event 20 miles north of Indianapolis.
The tour has staged 12 events this year, having previously postponed a tournament in New Orleans. It is the smallest schedule since LIV launched with massive Saudi Arabian funding and eight tournaments in 2022.
