Despite Past Outcry, Rory McIlroy Pledges Allegiance to PGA Tour by Insulting $850M Rumors

After $750 million worth of defection rumors flew around a couple of months ago, a recent figure that came to light about McIlroy’s defection was $850 million. One would think that an amount like this, the biggest LIV Golf deal yet, will make one week, but not the 4x major champion! He sure softened his stance against it, but that does not mean that he is defecting.

The Northern Irishman said bluntly in a recent interview with Todd Lewis as posted by NUCLR GOLF on X that he has “never been offered a contract by LIV Golf.” He further reassured fans that he is not going anywhere by saying, “I will play the PGA Tour for the rest of my career.” The Irish golfer is a “traditionalist,” after all, so these words are not as shocking! “For me, my future is here on the PGA Tour, and its never been any different,” said McIlroy.

He also shared that moving to LIV is something that he has never contemplated, and the golfer has also affirmed many times that he does not see the Saudi-backed circuit as a viable option for him. There was once a time when McIlroy bashed the golfers who moved to LIV Golf, but now he refers to them as the “very best players in the world.” He said that although the league is not for him; he understands that people can make decisions based on what is best for them.

In contrast to his earlier criticisms that the PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger was taking too long and was harming the game, McIlroy has made a strong statement today. For months, the PGA Tour pro has been voicing his stern remarks that, for the betterment of golf, some steps have to be taken, and “there has to be a correction.” But so far, Jay Monahan and other Tour officials have not done anything that may please McIlroy.

The 34-year-old pro although knows that PGA Tour still has a long way to go, and has some corrections to make on the way as well. In an interview with Sky Bet’s Stick to Football podcast he said, “I think what LIV has done, it’s exposed the flaws in the system of what golf has, because we’re all supposed to be independent contractors and we can pick and choose what tournaments we want to play.” 

His devotion to the PGA Tour reflects his love for the game and his faith in the Tour’s long-term viability. The golfer might think that with the $3 billion SSG investment and a potential merger with PIF, the PGA Tour will soon become the epitome of golf that he so desires. The merger will unify golf further, and it would be a win-win situation for him. The Tour pro also spoke to the PIF’s Governor regarding the same.

Yasir Al-Rumayyan’s discussion with Rory McIlroy

Off the camera, McIlroy revealed to Todd Lewis that he has had discussions with Yasir Al-Rumayyan, but these discussions have only ever been about how to enhance the game of golf and not about any possible offers to join the breakaway league. The Northern Irishman continued, saying that no official offer has been made out of respect for one another and that Al-Rumayyan is fully aware of his position on LIV Golf.

When asked about what he thinks the source of the rumors was, McIlroy says that he has no ideas and that “it’s never even been a conversation” for him. “Over the past two years, there have been many rumors about many guys leaving the Tour, and what you must remember is that you must keep an open mind,” said the 34-year-old.

All things considered, Rory McIlroy’s denial of the existence of an $850 million offer from LIV Golf and his pledge of loyalty to the PGA Tour mark a turning point in the ongoing conflict between the two golf leagues. It proves the Northern Irishman’s unwavering morals and his dedication to the sport he has been dominating for a long time. In light of the ever-changing professional golf scene, McIlroy’s decision makes a clear statement about his goals and his outlook for the game’s future.