Rory McIlroy, once a vocal critic of LIV Golf, now says former stars like Bryson DeChambeau should return to the PGA Tour — not because of punishment, but because the game needs them together more often to stay relevant.
In a candid appearance on the “Overlap” podcast, Rory McIlroy acknowledged a shift in his perspective on LIV Golf. While he still harbors concerns about the fractured state of golf, he now believes former PGA Tour stars who left for Saudi-backed LIV have “paid their consequence.”
McIlroy’s comments come just two weeks after five-time major winner Brooks Koepka announced he would step away from LIV Golf for the 2026 season. That decision leaves open the question of whether Koepka will eventually seek a return to the PGA Tour — a move McIlroy says would benefit the tour.
“If it made the overall tour stronger to have Bryson DeChambeau back and whoever else, I would be okay with it,” McIlroy said. “But, it’s not just me, and I recognize that not everyone’s in my position. It would be up to the collective group of PGA Tour members to make that decision.”
This sentiment echoes similar views from fellow PGA Tour member Billy Horschel, who recently stated he no longer supports punishing returning players. Instead, he sees their return as a potential boost to the product.
The PGA Tour’s official policy remains unchanged: any player wishing to return must sit out at least one full year after playing in LIV Golf events. Since LIV’s final event ended on August 25, 2025, Koepka would be ineligible to compete until fall 2026 — unless he opts to play on the DP World Tour instead.
McIlroy has long been one of the most vocal critics of LIV Golf since its inception. He has repeatedly expressed concern over what he sees as the erosion of golf’s integrity and the damage caused by the split in the professional ranks.
Yet, he admits his earlier rhetoric was too harsh. “You get this offer and what do you do?” McIlroy reflected in January 2024. “We all turned professional to make a living playing the sports that we do and I think that’s what I realized over the past two years, I can’t judge people for making that decision.”
LIV Golf has attempted to address criticisms by adjusting its format for 2026 — moving from 54 holes to the traditional 72-hole structure to better align with Official World Golf Rankings points. But McIlroy doubts those changes alone will restore credibility.
“If LIV is failing to capture the imagination and they’ve spent so much money on this venture and it isn’t making a return for them I don’t know how much longer they can keep it going,” McIlroy warned.
The stakes are high. With top names like Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, and Bryson DeChambeau potentially returning, the PGA Tour faces a pivotal moment. Will it choose unity or continue to enforce exclusion?
For McIlroy, the answer lies not in punishment, but in opportunity. “The sport needs them together more often in order to be relevant,” he insisted. “That’s not just me saying it — it’s the collective voice of the PGA Tour membership.”
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