The feud between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf may now have subsided after the deal struck with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), many top golfers still hold reservations about the breakaway tour. Rory McIlroy is chief amongst them.
The Holywood native was one of the most outspoken critics of LIV Golf during its early days, and while he would become more hesitant to speak on the subject as time went on, his feelings have not changed despite the reduction in hostilities between the two parties.
Speaking ahead of The Open earlier this summer, he admitted that still 'hates' LIV Golf regardless of any pending partnership.
I still hate LIV, like I hate LIV. I hope it goes away and I fully expect that it does.
I think that's where the distinction here is, this is the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour, under PIF, very different from LIV.
Going forward, I hope that there may be a team element. You're going to see maybe me, whoever else, play in some sort of team golf, but I don't think it'll look anything like LIV has looked. And I think that's a good thing.
Despite Rory McIlroy hoping that LIV would be dissolved in the near future, it seems those who are part of the tour see that as an unlikely prospect.
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LIV players comments on Rory McIlroy & Tiger Woods venture
Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods have been at the centre of attempts to rejuvenate the PGA Tour in an attempt to battle the threat posed by LIV, which includes the setting up of a new virtual golf league known as 'TGL'.
Ian Poulter was one of the most high profile players to move to LIV Golf during its early days, going on to burn bridges with a number of players with his comments after making that decision.
Speaking to The Telegraph, he shared his belief that 'TGL' was following the example of LIV by having team events. He also said that he was given assurances by Mohammed bin Salman at the recent LIV event in Saudi Arabia that the tour was going nowhere.
Everyone – big businesses, celebrities, sports stars – suddenly want to get in with team sports. Look at Wrexham [Football Club] with those Hollywood actors and other superstars at other teams, clubs and franchises.
Look at the news in F1 [with McIlroy joining the likes of Anthony Johsua and Trent Alexander investing in the Alpine team]. It’s not just the potential profit margin, it’s being involved and the fun to be had. It’s a win, win. Everyone wants a bit and I think LIV has been a leader in this, yeah. Definitely in golf...
I talked to his Excellency last week [at the LIV event in Jeddah]. He told me, never mind 2024, 2025 – LIV will go and on.
Great news for the hoards of LIV fans out there.
Another unnamed LIV Golf player would tell The Telegraph:
Will you be turning in on a Tuesday night to watch guys hitting it into a screen?
It’s a blatant fop to Tiger and Rory to keep them onside and earn them millions of guess what ‘guaranteed money’.
It remains to be seen if TGL will become a success, with the first events set to take place early in 2024. Alongside Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, a number of big names - including the likes of Shane Lowry, Jon Rahm, and Colin Morikawa - have committed to taking part.
While it is quite the departure from your regular PGA Tour event, you get the sense it will be more popular addition to the calendar than LIV Golf has proven to be.
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