Why Rory McIlroy Is Singing Different Tune About PGA Tour-LIV Situation

Newsweek

2 days ago

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Since LIV Golf's inception in 2022, the golf world has seen a dramatic split. Big names like Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau parted ways to join LIV Golf, triggering fierce backlash.
On the other side, legends like Tiger Woods, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy became the face of resistance.
But a lot has changed since then. Back in February, LIV Golf pro Brooks Koepka made a surprise visit to TGL, the simulator league co-founded by Woods and McIlroy with Tour backing.
And McIlroy, who once hated LIV, has seemingly thawed after The Open at Royal Portrush, where Scottie Scheffler claimed the 153rd Claret Jug.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 14: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland speaks to the media during his pre-tournament media conference prior to the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 14, 2025 in...
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 14: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland speaks to the media during his pre-tournament media conference prior to the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 14, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by) More
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During his recent appearance on the 'How Leaders Lead with David Novak' podcast, the Northern Irishman admitted open-mindedness towards LIV when questioned about his biggest takeaway from being close to the PGA-LIV merger talks.
"I think the one thing that I have learned through this whole process is to be a little more open-minded. I think once you have a position and you dig your heels in, it's very hard to get out of that position, right? And I would say that I learned because I was a little bit that way, too. I think you have to be open-minded," he told David Novak, as revealed in the interview.
He continued: "You have to be able to see things from the other side. You have to be able to put a foot in the other shoe and see if there's any areas of common interest there ... Yes, we disagree on a lot of things, but are there some things that we agree on? That's a good starting point to figure out a resolution."
McIlroy's shift comes at a time when the Tour and LIV are at a standstill in talks over a possible merger after announcing a framework agreement in 2023.
"I think if some of us were a little more open-minded through all this, I think a lot of opinion could have been avoided, and we wouldn't be in the position we're in. But that's with the luxury of hindsight," McIlroy admitted during the podcast interview posted on YouTube.
"I think once you take a position and ... that's sort of set in stone for you," he added, "it's very hard to reverse out of that if the situation requires it."
This isn't the first time McIlroy has softened his stance toward LIV.
In February, he told reporters at the Genesis Invitational, "I earn more money now than I did in 2019, and if LIV hadn't come around, I don't know if I'd be able to say that."
I think this is a pretty good summation of the last few years of pro golf, how LIV has affected so much and why it will be good to move on. Animated Rory > pic.twitter.com/jqRArr2fTv — Kyle Porter (@KylePorterNS) February 13, 2025
The comment drew criticism from PGA Tour insiders like Johnson Wagner, who accused McIlroy of hypocrisy. But the green jacket winner stands by his evolution and feels good about his change of mind.
"Being able to change your mind is one of the greatest things in the human experience," he shared with Novak after being appreciated for his current perception.
"If you can't change your mind based on new information, then that's not a great place to start from. So I think for me being able to change my mind on this, based on new information and trying to be a little more open-minded and trying to talk to people from the other side (LIV Golf), yeah ... you're going to hear both arguments, both sides, and you're gonna make your mind and sort of see where you land."
"I feel like I've gotten a little bit of criticism for changing my mind. But I actually view being able to change your mind as a good thing. I don't think it's flip-flopping. I don't think it's a bad thing. I truly think someone that's able to change their mind based on new information is an open-minded person."
The change of heart from the grand slam champion, once LIV's biggest critic, reflects the broader shift in golf's landscape. With Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, and Adrian Meronk now part of LIV, and the Ryder Cup approaching in September, unity is more urgent than ever. That said, this could be good news for the captain, Luke Donald.
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