Rory McIlroy Rules Out A Move To LIV Golf Despite His Softened Stance About The Breakaway Circuit

With Rory McIlroy softening his stance on LIV Golf as well as the players who have bolted for the Saudi-backed circuit in recent months, the ‘what if’ questions about McIlroy himself potentially joining LIV began to arise. The five-time major winner, however, has since made it abundantly clear he has no plans on leaving the PGA Tour.

McIlroy was, without question, the most vocal critic of LIV when the league officially launched in 2021. He's been on the record multiple times saying he "hated" LIV and in July 2023 said he'd "rather retire" from professional golf than join the breakaway circuit.

Fast-forward to the present day, and McIlroy has recently shared that he was too judgmental of players who left for LIV. He said LIV golfers shouldn't be "punished" if they are presented with a pathway back to the PGA Tour.

It has been quite a change in tune from McIlroy.  But while he has pitched the idea of a global tour in recent months, he has no plans to make the jump to LIV Golf.

(USA TODAY/IMAGN)

"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."

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"If we were to all put our heads together and be like ‘okay, what can we do to all come back together and move forward and be a little bit more cohesive’, then I’d be for that."

McIlroy being on board with the game's best players joining forces once again is the same endgame everyone - players, fans, media, etc. - wants to see come to fruition. Whether that coming together comes on the PGA Tour or some new-look league not even on the radar, remains to be seen.