McIlroy questions value of LIV players returning to PGA Tour - ESPN

ST. LOUIS — World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler said he isn't opposed to LIV Golf players potentially returning to the PGA Tour because they'd bring value and he wants to compete against the best in the world.

But reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy isn't sure what value the LIV Golf stars would bring to the PGA Tour if they came back.

«I mean, I would argue, have they brought value to LIV?» McIlroy said Wednesday, during his news conference ahead of this week's BMW Championship at Bellerive Country Club. «I think the PGA Tour's in a really good spot.»

LIV Golf will hold its final tournament of the 2026 season starting Thursday at The Club at Chatham Hills in Westfield, Indiana.

While LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil has said the struggling circuit has an agreement in place with a lead investor to continue playing beyond this season, it's unclear whether star golfers such as Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Smith and others will stay on with reduced purses and smaller contracts.

«I feel like I've kept my position consistent that LIV has never been a good thing for the game,» McIlroy said. «Whatever [LIV] 2.0 looks like — if it even happens — they're saying they're trying to be more collaborative and all of that, but this is the best platform for the top professional golfers in the world.»

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund announced April 30 that it would no longer finance LIV Golf after spending close to $6 billion since its inception in June 2022.

If LIV Golf returns in 2027, it is expected to play only 10 events (five in the U.S. and five at international sites), while allowing golfers to play on other tours. LIV Golf is attempting to entice top players to return by offering them an equity stake in the league.

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