Rory McIlroy's Manager Shuts Down 'Fake News' Report Linking Him To $850 Million Move To LIV Golf

On the Monday after yet another disappointing showing from Rory McIlroy at the Masters, a well-known media outlet based out of London reported that the 34-year-old could soon be headed to LIV Golf on a deal worth $850 million.

Sean O'Flaherty, McIlroy's agent and a man who would surely know his client's plans moving forward, has completely shut down the idea that McIlroy would be making the move to the Saudi-backed circuit.

"Fake news. Zero truth," O'Flaherty told the Irish Independent when asked about the report linking McIlroy to LIV.

City AM, the London financial paper that initially reported the news, stated that it had talked with "two separate sources" who said they "believe a deal is close."

"It is claimed that LIV Golf chiefs have offered world No2 McIlroy an eye-watering $850m to join, plus around two per cent equity in the competition," the paper noted.

 Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

While McIlroy's opinion of LIV has drastically softened over the last six months or so, just last month he completely ruled out any type of potential move to the breakaway circuit.

"It’s not for me," McIlroy told ESPN. "I’m too much of a traditionalist. I’m steeped in the…I love winning golf tournaments and looking at the trophy and seeing Sam Snead won this trophy, or Ben Hogan or Gene Sarazen or Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods or Nick Faldo – whoever it is – the people that came before me. That, to me, is a big deal in our game."

In July 2023 McIlroy was even on record stating he'd "rather retire" from the sport than join LIV Golf.

Since the calendar flipped to 2024, McIlroy has been more vocal about wanting a global tour that would mirror the Champions League in European Soccer. It already feels like the game is headed in that direction, albeit very slowly, given the PGA Tour's recently-struck $3 billion deal with an American investment group while it simultaneously continues to work with the Saudi PIF, the sole funder of LIV Golf, to fit its endless funds into a seat at the table.