Rory McIlroy, a four-time major championship winner, made it clear on Tuesday that he intends to conclude his career on the PGA Tour.
He refuted a report from a London newspaper claiming that he had been presented with an offer of $850 million and an equity stake in the LIV Golf League.
According to McIlroy, he and his agents have never discussed a possible agreement with the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf League.
“I truly can’t comprehend how these things begin,” McIlroy shared with Golf Channel during his practice session at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina, where the RBC Heritage is taking place this week. “I have never received an invitation from LIV, nor have I ever considered attending LIV.” Once more, it is evident from my previous two years of expressing my opinion that this is not something I believe is suitable for me.
“I don’t judge people who have gone and played over there.” It has become clear to me in the last two years that individuals have the right to make choices based on their own judgment, and it is not our place to pass judgment on them. However, from my perspective, I see my future firmly rooted in the PGA Tour, and this has always been the case.
McIlroy, a highly accomplished golfer with 24 victories on the tour, has an upcoming match with Ireland’s Shane Lowry in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, a team event.
“It’s never been a topic of discussion for us,” McIlroy stated. “It’s regrettable that we have to address this, and this is the current state of our game.” I am excited to announce that I will be attending the upcoming PGA Tour event next week, and I am committed to playing on the PGA Tour for the rest of my career.
Sean O’Flaherty, McIlroy’s agent, dismissed the report by City A.M., a London financial paper, stating that it was completely false. According to O’Flaherty, there is no truth to the claim that the second-ranked golfer in the world is considering a $850 million offer from the LIV Golf League, which would also include a 2% equity stake.
O’Flaherty dismissed the report as inaccurate.
“I believe that over the past two years, there have been numerous rumors concerning individuals,” McIlroy stated. “I believe one important realization is that individuals should maintain a receptive mindset. It is highly likely that there are players currently participating in the PGA Tour who have engaged in conversations with the individuals from LIV and have received offers, among other things.”
Despite the PGA Tour and the PIF signing a framework agreement on June 6 to form an alliance, both parties have yet to reach a final agreement. The framework agreement, which expired on December 31, has been extended while negotiations are ongoing.
LIV Golf successfully recruited Jon Rahm, who was ranked No. 3 in the world at the time, in December. The deal was reported to be worth over $350 million.
In the Bahamas, PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan had a meeting with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and players directors from the tour’s policy board, which included Tiger Woods.
McIlroy, who finished in 22nd place at last week’s Masters, has expressed his strong opinions about LIV Golf and its team concept.
“I strongly dislike LIV,” he informed reporters during the 2023 RBC Canadian Open in Toronto last June. “Ugh, LIV is the worst.” I really hope it goes away.
Following the announcement of the PGA Tour’s upcoming partnership with the PIF, McIlroy expressed feeling like he was being used as a sacrificial lamb.
In recent months, McIlroy has shown a more flexible stance regarding the return of players who joined LIV Golf to the PGA Tour, as well as their eligibility to participate in the Ryder Cup.
