mcilroy: Golf Unification Increasingly Unlikely Amidst LIV‘s “Irrational” Spending
NEW YORK – Rory McIlroy has expressed growing doubt that a resolution will be reached to unify men’s professional golf, citing the significant and, in his view, “irrational” financial investment of the LIV Golf series. The comments come two-and-a-half years after initial discussions began regarding a potential merger between the PGA Tour, DP World tour, and LIV golf.
The fracture in the sport emerged in 2021 when LIV, backed by Saudi investment, began attracting top players with lucrative contracts. While hopes for reconciliation initially existed, McIlroy believes the financial disparity created by LIV’s spending makes unification increasingly arduous.
“You see some of these other sports that have been fractured for so long,” McIlroy told the CNBC CEO Council Forum, referencing divisions in boxing and the historical split between IndyCar and NASCAR in the united States. “I think for golf in general it would be better if there was unification, but I just think with what’s happened over the last few years, it’s just going to be very difficult to be able to do that.”
McIlroy contends that LIV Golf will need to continue its high level of spending simply to maintain its current position.”They’re going to have to spend another five or six billion [US dollars] just to maintain where they are,” he stated, noting that many player contracts are nearing expiration and will likely demand similar or increased compensation. He estimates LIV has already spent between five and six billion dollars.
Bryson deChambeau, a LIV Golf player, acknowledged the significant gap between the parties. “I wish something major would happen but I don’t think it’s going to in the immediate future,” deChambeau told Fox News Digital. “I think there are too many wants on both sides and not enough gives on the other. We’re just too far apart on a lot of things.”
despite the pessimism,deChambeau expressed optimism for the overall growth of the game internationally. McIlroy, while more agreeable remaining with the PGA Tour, conceded the future remains uncertain.
