According to reports, Rory McIlroy and LIV Golf are about to make an incredible U-turn.
According to reports, Rory McIlroy is getting closer to joining LIV Golf for a whopping £850 million. The 34-year-old, who just wrapped up a disappointing tie for 22nd place in the US Masters, is rumored to have received an offer of £685 million, making him the most expensive player to sign with the Saudi breakaway tour to date.
Two sources have reportedly indicated to CITY AM that the deal is almost done. If it came to pass, it would be an astounding reversal of course for the world’s No. 2, who has been a vocal opponent of LIV since the organization’s official founding in 2022.
But McIlroy’s close friend and Sky Sports Golf reporter Jamie Weir has called the rumors “complete nonsense.” The Northern Irishman has not responded to the story, and neither have any members of his team.
Previous rumors of a move were sparked on Thursday at Augusta when Greg Norman, the CEO of LIV Golf, arrived at the tournament on his own initiative without an invitation from the organizers. This followed Rory McIlroy’s round. When asked later if he knew the Australian was keeping a close eye on him, McIlroy replied, “No, I didn’t. failed to notice him.
The LIV concept was infamously dubbed “dead in the water already” by McIlroy after several prominent athletes initially turned down offers. But since the competition’s debut in June 2022 at the Centurion Club in St. Albans, several elite PGA Tour players have chosen to transfer.
Additionally, in December, Rahm’s Ryder Cup partner Jon Rahm signed a three-year, £300 million contract, making him their most notable acquisition to date. Following that, McIlroy’s position seemed to soften; in contrast to his earlier opinions, he stated that LIV players should be allowed to compete in golf’s most prestigious team competition.
However, golf enthusiasts have now expressed their concerns about the potential effects on the current state of golf should McIlroy make a U-turn. “It’s over for the PGA Tour if the rumors about Rory McIlroy joining LIV for $850 million are true,” wrote @bavedikian.
I cannot emphasize this enough, said @lukebellus. A lot of people have expressed similar feelings, and @BrooksPeck wrote, “If Rory McIlroy joins LIV, my faith in the sport of golf will be lost.” If McIlroy leaves for LIV, men’s professional golf will never be the same.
In order to create a schedule that worked for everyone, the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and LIV Golf came to an agreement last June. As of right now, the Saudi venture—which employs a three-day shotgun star format—continues to operate as a separate entity, so that idea has not yet been officially implemented.
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