In the months leading up to LIV Golf’s inception in 2021 and its inaugural event in June 2022, no one was a harsher critic of the breakaway league than Rory McIlroy. As the years have passed and with LIV’s future now a complete uncertainty, McIlroy has taken a wider-lensed look at things and, as a result, softened his disdain for the league.
Perhaps there is a piece of McIlroy that feels bad for certain players who left the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf. Maybe he’s simply grown a bit softer as a now 37-year-old, or with the career grand slam box finally checked, perhaps he’s stopped giving a thought to anything that does not directly involve him.
While we may never know the why of it all, there is no denying that McIlroy’s tune about LIV has changed, and his recent comments during the Bloomberg New Economy Forum only confirm that.
Rory McIlroy, golfer, during the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New Delhi, India, on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. The New Economy Forum is being organized by Bloomberg Media Group, a division of Bloomberg LP, the parent company of Bloomberg News. Photographer: Prakash Singh/Bloomberg via Getty Images (Prakash Singh/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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With LIV Golf filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and the writing on the wall at least beginning to form that the LIV 2.0 endeavor could be a failure-to-launch situation, McIlroy has begun reflecting on the first iteration of the league.
“LIV had probably like half of a good idea that was executed pretty poorly,” McIlroy shared during the forum in New Delhi. “They had a lot of capital, but I think a lot of that capital was wasted in some ways, and I think they could have used that money a lot more strategically, and they could have partnered with some of the governing bodies of the game, and they certainly could have done better things with it instead of just enriching tour pros that were already making a lot of money.”
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A year ago, maybe even sooner, it would have been hard to imagine McIlroy sharing thoughts such as these about LIV Golf and what the business could have done. In the past, it would have only been a moment to strictly criticize LIV.
McIlroy taking this approach was likely made easier with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) officially cutting off all funding to the circuit earlier this year, but it’s still an interesting change of pace from the former World No. 1.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot during the Pro-Am prior to the DP World India Championship at Delhi Golf Club on October 14, 2026 in New Delhi, India. (Photo by Luke Walker/Getty images) (Luke Walker/Getty images)
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On that topic of change, McIlroy began softening his stance about LIV players returning to the PGA Tour months ago. In May, he said LIV players making a return to the Tour would be “good business.”
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland prepares to tee off on the ninth hole on day one of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club on September 17, 2026 in Virginia Water, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
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When asked at the forum if he would welcome players back on Tour, he stuck to the same idea with his answer.
“Yes, I would,” McIlroy explained. “A rising tide lifts all boats, and I think having some of these players back is beneficial for the business of the tours.”