McIlroy predicts players will leave LIV Golf after bankruptcy filing

Rory McIlroy said Wednesday he expects players to leave LIV Golf in the wake of the league's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, predicting their departure would strengthen both the DP World Tour and PGA Tour.

Speaking ahead of this week's Amgen Irish Open, McIlroy said the revamped version of the rebel league — dubbed LIV 2.0 — looks far less appealing than the original. "LIV 1.0 at the start looked a lot more attractive than what LIV 2.0 might be from a financial standpoint," McIlroy said. "I would predict that you'll see some guys leave."skysports

A League in Limbo

LIV Golf and its related entities filed for Chapter 11 protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of New Jersey on Tuesday, listing between $500 million and $1 billion in liabilities and between $100 million and $500 million in estimated assets. The filing followed Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund decision earlier this year to cut funding after the 2026 season, having spent roughly $5 billion on the league since its 2021 inception.espn+2

The league said it had reached a restructuring agreement with BC Partners, its new lead investor, and hopes to relaunch as a player-majority-owned circuit in 2027. Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, and Cameron Smith were listed as the leading creditors in the filing.wowktv+2

Rahm Stays Cautious

Rahm, playing this week alongside McIlroy in Ireland, offered measured responses when pressed on his future. In an interview with BBC Sport, Rahm said he remains committed to his existing deal — but pointedly specified which version of the league that covers. "I still have a contract with LIV 1.0 that I'm more than willing to fulfill," Rahm said. "Time will tell."golf

The distinction matters. Rahm's original contract, signed in 2023, is reportedly worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Whether the restructured LIV 2.0 can honor those terms remains unclear, and the league is expected to reduce prize purses if it conducts a 2027 season. Asked directly whether he would pursue a return to the PGA Tour if LIV folds, Rahm responded simply: "We'll see what happens."kfgo+1

Ryder Cup in the Balance

European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding LIV players ahead of the 2027 event at Adare Manor, but noted the competition could influence their decisions. "I know a lot of these guys, the Ryder Cup is high up on their priority list," Donald said. McIlroy, meanwhile, framed the broader situation as a net positive, saying the DP World Tour's alliance with the PGA Tour is "only going to get stronger" and that absorbing former LIV players would make tournaments more competitive.skysports