World No.2 Rory McIlroy Takes Indirect Swipe at LIV Golf Following Brooks Koepka’s Dramatic Return to PGA Tour

Rory McIlroy raised questions regarding the future and product of LIV Golf after Brooks Koepka returned to the PGA Tour this week.

World No.2 Rory McIlroy Takes Indirect Swipe at LIV Golf Following Brooks Koepka’s Dramatic Return to PGA Tour

Brooks Koepka and Rory McIlroy (Image via Fox News/Imago)

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Rory McIlroy had some bold words for LIV Golf on Thursday. Following the return of Brooks Koepka to the PGA Tour, the World No.2 questioned the future of the Saudi-backed tour and took an indirect swipe at them.

Koepka, the 5-time major champion, made his dramatic return to the PGA Tour this week. In December, he stunned the golf world by leaving LIV Golf. He still had one-year remaining on his contract with them.

The golfer would then reapply for his membership on the tour. On Monday, the PGA Tour released a statement and announced the establishment of the Returning Member Program, a one-time window which allows some of the top names to return to the tour.

With Koepka’s return, LIV Golf suffered a major blow. The former World No.1 was one of the top names of LIV Golf. He would snatch bragging rights in May 2023 when he became the first LIV Golfer to win a major championship, as he claimed the PGA Championship.

After a 4-year stay, where he won 5 titles, he has left them and rejoined the tour.

Koepka’ return generated a massive buzz on social media. It also left some people unimpressed as Wyndham Clark expressed his dissatisfaction with his return.

McIlroy, however, seemed to be pleased with this. The golfer has since questioned the future of LIV Golf and claimed that they have not signed anyone who moves the “needle” for them.

They haven’t signed anyone who moves the needle and I don’t think they will. I mean, they could re-sign Bryson (DeChambeau) for hundreds of millions of dollars, but even if they do, it doesn’t change their product, does it? They’ll just be paying for the exact same thing.

Rory McIlroy said as per James Corrigan of The Telegraph

One of the biggest names LIV Golf signed in recent seasons was Jon Rahm. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) backed tour splashed the cash to bring in Rahm in December 2023.

The Spaniard was the reigning Masters Champion when he joined LIV Golf. Since then, the league has signed some players, but unlike Rahm or Bryson DeChambeau, they are not high-profile names.

Meanwhile, the league has also suffered some rejections in recent times. A few days ago, 2-time PGA Tour winner Akshay Bhatia turned down a lucrative offer from them and later joined Tiger Woods‘ TGL team.

Rory McIlroy is open to welcome Bryson DeChambeau and other LIV Golfers back to PGA Tour

Following the return of Brooks Koepka, the attention has turned to other golfers who want to return. While Bryson DeChambeau has committed his future to LIV Golf, Rory McIlroy is open to welcoming him and the others who want to come back.

Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy
Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy (Image via Golf)

As per the Returning Member Program, a player must be away for 2 years and needs to have won either The Players Championship or any one of the 4 majors from 2022 to the 2025 season to be eligible for this. Along with Cameron Smith and Jon Rahm, DeChambeau is eligible for this.

Following a dramatic collapse in the final round of the 2024 U.S. Open, McIlroy lost the major title to DeChambeau as the American edged him out by 1 shot. So he is eligible to apply for a return to the tour.

In a recent appearance at Stick to Football podcast, McIlroy claimed that DeChambeau and the others had already paid the consequences and should be allowed to return.

I think they’ve already paid their consequence. They’ve made the money but they’ve paid their consequence… If it made the overall tour stronger to have Bryson DeChambeau back and whoever else, I would be okay with it.

Rory McIlroy said regarding Bryson DeChambeau

When asked about using this new policy of the tour, DeChambeau expressed that he was contracted until 2026 and simply claimed that he was excited for the upcoming season.

Speaking of the upcoming season, McIlroy’s 2026 season has begun at the Dubai Desert Classic. The golfer was sitting top of the leaderboard with a first round score of 66.

Meanwhile, DeChambeau’s campaign will begin next month in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He and his LIV Golf league mates will take part in the league’s first-ever 72-hole tournament from February 4.

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