Rory McIlroy Gives Honest Opinion on Demise of LIV Golf and Reveals What Really Went Wrong

LIV Golf’s decline has been dramatic. At one point, a deal between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund seemed less a possibility than a matter of when, not if. The sides had even gathered at the White House to discuss a potential agreement.

Fast forward to today and, after LIV’s bankruptcy filing in September, attention has turned to what a restructured version of the league might look like.

Several players have already indicated they will depart before the 2027 season. Some notable names include Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, Sergio Garcia, and former Open champion Cameron Smith.

Earlier this year, Smith turned down a path back to the PGA Tour, opting to fulfill his LIV Golf commitments through the 2026 campaign. But the uncertainty surrounding the league’s future appears to have altered the equation.

Reports later indicated Smith joined a group of players seeking releases from their LIV contracts, similar to the arrangement granted to Sergio Garcia. LIV is said to have requested additional time before ruling on his application.

Key Events Timeline

• April 2026 — Saudi Arabia’s PIF confirmed it would stop funding LIV Golf after the 2026 season.
• August 2026 — LIV ended its season early in Indianapolis, then laid off most staff.
• September 2026 — LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in New Jersey, owing over $500m.
• October 2026 — A bankruptcy court granted Sergio Garcia a release from his LIV contract.
• October 2026 — Jon Rahm’s lawyers told the court he would reject LIV 2.0.

Rory McIlroy’s Honest Assessment of LIV Golf’s Demise

Matthew Childs via Reuters

LIV Golf’s bid to become a lasting power broker in professional golf has ended in disappointment. Rory McIlroy has argued the concept itself was not fatally flawed, but the execution proved costly.

The financial fallout paints a stark picture. Court filings show LIV owes players at least $45.5 million, with 14 golfers appearing among its 30 largest creditors. According to reports from ESPN, Jon Rahm is reportedly owed $7.5 million, while Bryson DeChambeau ($5.8 million), Dustin Johnson ($5.5 million), and Cameron Smith ($4.8 million) are also among those awaiting payment.

The losses are staggering. LIV’s US operation reportedly burned through $3 billion, while its UK business lost another $2 billion by the end of 2025. Despite maintaining roughly $15 million in cash as of the 8th of September, the league required a $49.6 million loan from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund to continue operating through bankruptcy proceedings.

REUTERS/Henry Romero

At one point, LIV Golf appeared destined to become a permanent fixture in the professional game. The warning signs were there long before LIV Golf filed for bankruptcy. What once looked like an unavoidable partnership with the PGA Tour has unravelled into uncertainty, player departures, and questions about the league’s future. Armed with enormous financial backing, LIV had every opportunity to establish itself as a lasting force in golf.

Speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum, Rory McIlroy reflected on the demise of LIV and suggested what they should have done differently.

“LIV had probably half of a good idea; that was executed pretty poorly. They had a lot of capital, but I think a lot of that capital was wasted in some ways,” McIIory said.