Rory McIlroy and other golfers react to the end of LIV Golf

LIV Golf, one of the most controversial leagues in golf, is to close after an investment of more than $5bn. At a bankruptcy hearing in New Jersey, the league’s lawyer confirmed that the organisation will discontinue its activities, raising concerns about the future of the players who took part.

McIlroy: a model that was hard to sustain

Rory McIlroy, speaking to Today’s Golfer, said it was “always very difficult” for LIV to attract enough players to its model, which featured smaller prizes and no upfront payments. He stressed that if the league could not make a $6bn budget work, it was unthinkable that it could manage $300m.

The Irishman made the comments after signing for a second-round 63 at Yas Links, with 11 birdies, a feat not seen on the DP World Tour in 21 years.

Peter Malnati, a former member of the PGA Tour policy board, said LIV’s closure allows professional golf to return to sustainable business models. He praised commissioner Jay Monahan, who “played the cards he was dealt incredibly effectively”.

Players’ return to the PGA Tour and DP World Tour

Adam Scott believes players who moved to LIV should not have an easy return to the PGA Tour or the DP World Tour. “I think the fairest thing is for everyone to re-establish themselves in the system they want,” said Scott, who argues that former LIV players should have to requalify, although he hopes the best will compete together again.

Jon Rahm expressed doubts about the possibility of receiving a deal as generous as the one Brooks Koepka accepted to return to the PGA Tour. He also revealed that his lawyer told a bankruptcy court in New Jersey that he will not be part of the new version of LIV. The league’s dissolution does not mean players can automatically return to the tours they left, as each has its own membership rules.

McIlroy believes the DP World Tour could be the main beneficiary and says it would be “incredible” if LIV’s stars joined the European circuit. Some players, such as Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, already have status on the DP World Tour, while others, such as Bryson DeChambeau, could benefit from a membership category open to recent major winners.

The situation also brings financial challenges for the PGA Tour, where sponsorship deals may have risen significantly since 2022. Michael Kim said that while the first cycle of contracts may be easier, the real test will be seeing how many continue to renew after a few years.

In the coming months, the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour and sponsors will have to deal with the consequences of LIV Golf’s exit. Attention will focus on how things unfold for DeChambeau, Rahm and other former players of the league.