Rory McIlroy blames LIV Golf for acting "irrationally", provides uncertain response on reunification

Rory McIlroy blamed LIV Golf for acting irrationally while providing an uncertain response on golf reunification. The five-time major champion was speaking at the 2025 CNBC CEO Council Summit this week.

The PGA Tour and the Saudi PIF-backed golf league's proposed unified framework has made headlines for years. On November 27, Rory McIlroy shared his thoughts on the potential reunification of professional golf, stating it would be beneficial for the sport.

However, the Northern Irishman stated that there will be difficulties due to irrational behavior from the other side in terms of resource allocation and expenses. Rory McIlroy said in the interview:

"For golf... it would be better if there was unification... it's just going to be very difficult... as someone that supports the PGA Tour and supports the traditional structure of men's professional golf, we have to realize we were trying to deal with people that were acting in some ways irrationally, just in terms of the capital they were allocating and the money they were spending."

Josh Carpenter shared an excerpt from Rory McIlroy's interview on X. Take a look:

McIlroy also claimed that there has not been "a return yet" despite resources spent for four or five years. The veteran PGA Tour pro further stated that he feels comfortable being on the side of the PGA Tour rather than being elsewhere and expressed his faith in Brian Rolapp's guidance and leadership.

When Rory McIlroy shared a mixed verdict on the need for reunification

In February, Adam Scott, Tiger Woods, and PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan met with US President Donald Trump, along with PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan. The Tour also released a statement emphasizing the importance of reunification following the session.

In May 2025, Rory McIlroy issued a statement on the LIV-PGA reunification during an appearance on CNBC's Squawk Box. The golfer stated that the PGA Tour did not need to make a deal with LIV Golf, but the two tours need to reunite in the future.

"I don’t necessarily think the PGA Tour needs to do a deal right this minute. But long term for the health of the professional game, I think the two sides at some point need to come back together."

Take a look at the X post by Golf.com:

McIlroy has previously condemned the Saudi golf circuit after its debut in 2022. In an interview with Kyle Porter before the 2022 Open, the golfer stated that there was no room for LIV Golf in the world and that he would be happy if "LIV went away tomorrow".

Edited by Riddhiman Sarkar