McIlroy sees PGA Tour and LIV Golf union as difficult: “Irrational” expenses hinder merger

Rory McIlroy: The Fracture in Golf Persists

The renowned golfer Rory McIlroy has expressed his doubts about the possibility of a reconciliation in the world of golf, pointing to the “irrational” investment of the LIV series as a key factor in the current division of the sport. The separation, which originated in 2021 when the Saudi league attracted several stars with millionaire contracts, generated expectations of a possible merger agreement. However, more than two and a half years after the initial proposals, the parties involved do not seem to be any closer to an agreement.

“You see other sports that have been fractured for a long time, like boxing or what has happened in motorsports 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 a resolution very difficult. “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.”

The golfer also highlighted the need to maintain investments to sustain the LIV project. “Four or five years have passed and there has still been no return, but they will have to keep spending that money to maintain what they have now. Many of these guys’ contracts are about to expire. They are going to ask for the same amount or an even greater amount. LIV has spent five or six billion US dollars and will have to spend another five or six just to stay where they are.” Bryson DeChambeau, LIV golfer, agrees that the current stances are very distant.

“I wish something important would happen, but I don’t think it’s going to happen in the immediate future. I think there are too many demands 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