Rory McIlroy’s scheduled participation in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship has sparked reactions from fans on social media. This November at Yas Links, the golfer from Northern Ireland will compete in the competition.

The annual European Tour competition, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, is organized by American global sports brand IMG and is usually held at Yas Links. Though McIlroy usually competes on the PGA Tour, his attendance at this European Tour event in the United Arab Emirates has led some fans to speculate that the World No. 2 may join LIV Golf. Rory McIlroy’s commitment to the European Tour event was announced by Nuclr Golf on its X account, which was formerly Twitter.

NEW: @TrackingRory has confirmed that Rory McIlroy will compete in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links in November.”

Rory McIlroy was trollingd by fans in the comments section, who suggested he should join LIV Golf.
“Hi Rory, welcome to LIV. Frogs are not permitted,” a fan wrote.

In an apparent jab at LIV Golf events, which have no cut line and guarantee prize money for all competitors, some fans even speculated that McIlroy might receive an appearance fee for the competition.

Another fan said, “Gotta collect that appearance fee.”

Rory is therefore given a purse made of blood money along with an appearance fee, or guaranteed money. I’ll be damned,” wrote a different admirer.
Another fan wrote, “Good bye Nuclr, Rory, liV, and all the Saudi lovers.”

The golfer denied reports that Rory McIlroy offered $850 million to join LIV Golf.

There was a report earlier this year suggesting Rory McIlroy might be joining LIV Golf. It stated that he was presented with an incredible $850 million contract along with an ownership share in the Saudi Circuit.

In a statement to the Golf Channel, the Northern Irish golfer, however, categorically refuted these allegations. When McIlroy learned of the rumors, he expressed surprise. He gave everyone his word that he would continue to compete on the circuit and saw the PGA Tour as his main source of future success. According to McIlroy (via ESPN):

For us, it’s never even been a discussion. This is the state of our game, and it’s unfortunate that we have to deal with it. Of course, I’m here, I’ll be at the PGA Tour event the following week, and I plan to play on the Tour for the remainder of my career.”

McIlroy competed in two DP World Tour events in 2024; he placed second at the Dubai Invitational and won the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. He has won the Wells Fargo Championship and the Zurich Classic on the PGA Tour in 2024. His best performance came at the US Open in 2024, where he finished in second place despite missing a putt on the last hole.