Rory McIlroy predicts players will leave LIV Golf after the breakaway league filed for bankruptcy protection as part of a restructuring plan in New Jersey.
Speaking on Wednesday ahead of the Amgen Irish Open, the Northern Irish golfer questioned the financial appeal of the circuit's proposed relaunch, dubbed LIV 2.0, following a decision by main backer Saudi Arabia to cease funding.
LIV Golf announced on Tuesday that it was working with its new lead investor, private equity firm BC Partners, to restructure and launch a revamped format next year. As part of that process, the organisation filed for bankruptcy protection in a New Jersey court.
LIV Golf Bankruptcy and Restructuring Plans
The court filing comes after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund announced in April that it would terminate its financial backing of LIV Golf at the end of the 2026 season. The sovereign wealth fund has spent 5 billion dollars (3.6 billion pounds) on the circuit over five years since its launch in 2021.
Sky News understands that LIV Golf is currently conducting negotiations with its roster of players regarding their futures and whether they will remain on the circuit into 2027 or depart. McIlroy suggested that the financial terms of the revised league may accelerate player departures.
"I'm not in their shoes, but LIV 1.0 at the start looked a lot more attractive than what LIV 2.0 might be from a financial standpoint," McIlroy said. "I'm not trying to predict the future, but I would predict that you'll see some guys leave."
LIV Golf was established in 2021 as a rival to professional golf's established order, luring prominent names with multi-million dollar guaranteed contracts and 54-hole events featuring no cuts. The loss of Saudi capital has forced the enterprise to seek fresh commercial structuring under BC Partners.
DP World Tour Impact and Strategic Alliance
McIlroy, who won the Amgen Irish Open in 2025 and is a four-time major winner, previously warned that golfers who left for LIV Golf would face a tough road back to traditional tours. However, he stated on Wednesday that returning players would significantly bolster the DP World Tour and PGA Tour.
"That means other tours have decisions to make," McIlroy said. "Obviously there's a lot of players on LIV that can strengthen golf tournaments and make them more competitive. So I would see that as a good thing for the DP World Tour."
McIlroy pointed to the operational strength of the DP World Tour, formerly known as the European Tour, and its ongoing alliance with the US-based PGA Tour. Under their agreement, PGA Tour players face a five-month window in the autumn schedule with few domestic commitments, opening opportunities to compete in international events.
"The health of the DP World Tour is in a really good spot," McIlroy added. "They have a wonderful alliance with the PGA Tour. I think that alliance is only going to get stronger, especially with the PGA Tour committing to working with the DP World Tour for some of these international events at this time of the year going forward."
"So you have PGA Tour players really with nothing to do for five months in this period. If whoever else is incorporated into these tournaments, that makes them more competitive. Overall, with the way things are working out, it's a very good thing for the golf ecosystem. It only makes these tournaments stronger with more competitive players in them."
Player Contract Status and Amgen Irish Open Field
Star players such as Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau have previously remained coy regarding their long-term plans. However, Rahm indicated on Tuesday that he intends to honor his existing deal, telling reporters he has a contract with LIV Golf that he is "more than willing to fulfil."
Rahm, a two-time major champion from Spain, and his Legion XIII team-mate Tyrrell Hatton are both scheduled to compete in this week's Amgen Irish Open. Both golfers are also confirmed to feature in next week's BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
Their participation brings marquee LIV Golf competitors into direct competition with DP World Tour regulars, offering a preview of how merged or expanded fields could operate if players transition back from LIV 2.0.
Ryder Cup Qualification and Future Commitments
European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald acknowledged that uncertainty remains regarding player commitments, but noted that eligibility for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in Ireland could heavily influence player choices.
"There's still some uncertainty," Donald said. "Time will tell to see where those guys land. Obviously, you want your best players available, and you want them playing as many counting events as possible."
Donald explained that players competing in more DP World Tour events increase their chances of qualifying automatically for the team through the points list.
"You set your qualification system to try and determine who those top six guys are, and the more someone like a Jon Rahm or Tyrrell Hatton, if they are playing more events on the DP World Tour, they are going to have a better opportunity to fill one of those top six. So that's obviously great," Donald said.
"If not, we'll see what happens. But I don't really determine their schedules or where they play. But I know a lot of these guys, the Ryder Cup is high up on their priority list. So I'm sure they will be thinking about that."
Donald led Europe to victory against the United States in Rome in 2023 and will manage the team again when Adare Manor hosts the biennial contest in 2027. Selection rules require European players to maintain DP World Tour membership to represent the continent.
Amgen Irish Open Broadcast Schedule
Sky Sports will broadcast live coverage of all four rounds of the Amgen Irish Open. Official television coverage begins at 1.30pm UK time on Thursday on Sky Sports Golf, with the remaining three days broadcast live on Sky Sports+.
Friday's coverage will feature two distinct broadcast sessions starting at 9am and 3pm. Weekend action commences at 2.30pm on Saturday and 1.30pm on Sunday, with both days broadcasting on Sky Sports Golf following the conclusion of the Solheim Cup women's team match play tournament.
