McIlroy: PGA Tour and LIV Golf merger, “irrational” and unlikely

Rory McIlroy Doubts Reconciliation in Golf Due to LIV Golf’s “Irrational” Investment

Renowned golfer Rory McIlroy has expressed his doubts about the possibility of a reconciliation in the world of golf, attributing this situation to the “irrational” investment of the LIV Golf series, which has generated a deep division in the sport. The hope of a union arose after the merger proposal, after the Saudi league attracted several stars with millionaire contracts in 2021, marking a significant separation. However, more than two and a half years after that proposal, the parties involved do not seem any closer to reaching an agreement.

You see other sports that have been fractured for so long. You look at boxing, for example, or what has happened in motor racing in the United States with Indy and NASCAR, I think for golf in general it would be better if there was a unification.

Rory McIlroy

McIlroy, speaking at CNBC’s CEO Council Forum, added that the current situation makes it very difficult to achieve that unification. “As someone who supports the traditional structure of men’s professional golf, we must realize that we were dealing with people who were acting, in a way, irrationally, just in terms of the capital they were allocating and the money they were spending.”

“Four or five years have passed and there has still been no return, but they are going to have to keep spending that money to even maintain what they have at this moment.” “Many of these guys’ contracts are expiring. They’re going to ask for the same amount or an even greater amount. LIV has spent five or six billion U.S. dollars, and they’re going to have to spend another five or six just to maintain their current position.” “I feel much more comfortable being on the PGA Tour side than on theirs, but who knows what will happen.” LIV golfer Bryson DeChambeau has also acknowledged the current distance between both sides.

I would like something important to happen, but I don’t think it will happen in the immediate future. I think there are too many desires from both sides and not enough concessions from the other. We are too far apart on many things. It will take some time, but, ultimately, I think the game of golf will grow internationally.

Bryson DeChambeau