McIlroy open to inviting LIV golfers

He says they've made the money but they've paid their consequence

LONDON:

Rory McIlroy says he's open to welcoming competitors who left to join LIV Golf back to the PGA Tour ranks.

It's a notable change in public opinion for the five-time major champion, who has been among the most open critics of LIV and its divisive impact on golf.

"I think they've already paid their consequence. They've made the money but they've paid their consequence in terms of the reputation and some of the things they've lost by going over there," McIlroy said in an appearance on "The Overlap" podcast. "If it made the overall tour stronger to have Bryson DeChambeau back and whoever else, I would be okay with it.

"But it's not just me, and I recognize that not everyone is in my position. It would be up to the collective group of PGA Tour members to make that decision."

In the wake of departures from some of its top golfers who accepted significant paydays to join LIV, the PGA instituted a rule that competitors will not be eligible to compete in its events until a full year has passed since their final LIV event.

Laurie Canter, who last competed on the LIV Tour in 2024, was to become the first LIV competitor to return to the PGA Tour this upcoming season after earning his tour card. Instead, he decided to rejoin LIV, signing with Majesticks for the 2026 season.

Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka could become the first competitor who tests the PGA's return policy. Koepka signed a four-year deal with LIV reportedly worth upwards of $100 million, but the league announced Dec. 23 that he would be leaving the league ahead of the fourth year on his deal because he will be "prioritizing the needs of his family."

It remains to be seen, however, if Koepka will attempt to return to the PGA Tour before the one-year waiting period, which would extend through August.

LIV has made the change from 54-hole events to the traditional 72 in order to attempt to make its events eligible for Official Golf World Ranking points, which are used to determine eligibility for major events.

OWGR chairman Trevor Immelman said in a statement Dec. 30 that the process of LIV events attempting to be eligible for OWGR points remains ongoing.

Fan treatment

Rory McIlroy called out the "mob mentality" that led to "horrific" abuse hurled at himself, his wife and his daughter during September's Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.

The World No. 2 golfer from Northern Ireland opened up about his unpleasant experiences with the crowd in New York in a recent appearance on "The Overlap" podcast.

"In 2016 we played the Ryder Cup in Minnesota, and I thought that was bad. But I compare this year to 2016, and 2016 was nothing compared to some of the stuff we heard," McIlroy said.

"We knew going to New York that we were going to get a lot of stick, a lot of abuse. For six months right before the competition, everyone was saying it's going to be hostile.

"I didn't (think it would be as hostile as it was). Look, I don't care if people are saying whatever they're saying to me, even the first tee announcers shouting: 'F-- you, Rory,' which is nothing compared to the other stuff we heard."

As McIlroy, 36, and Team Europe built a massive lead and then held on for a 15-13 victory, the five-time major winner said the heckling crossed the line.

"Erica, my wife, would say she's a grown woman, she's strong, she can handle that," he added. "But then when it starts to get into your family, I heard stuff about my daughter that I couldn't even repeat here. It's horrific.

"But I think it's sort of society and culture at the minute as well. It's that mob mentality where people see other people doing something and then they think it's OK. And then it sort of builds up.

"There's 50,000 people there, and all it takes is 500 of those to be bad eggs and then it skews the atmosphere."

McIlroy said U.S. captain Keegan Bradley could have done more to rein in the unruly fans.

"Keegan and I have talked about this," McIlroy added. "You have to play into the home-field advantage, absolutely.

"But during the competition on Friday night and Saturday night, after the stuff that we heard on the course, there was an opportunity for either Keegan or some of the teammates to be like: 'Let's just calm down here. Let's try to play this match in the right spirit.'

"Some of them did that, but obviously Keegan had the biggest platform of the week in being the captain. I feel like he could have said something on that Friday or Saturday night, and he didn't."