McIlroy denies rumors of moving to LIV Golf League

Rory McIlroy has announced that he will commit his entire career to the PGA Tour as he is suspected of closing a contract to compete on the LIV Golf League with a predetermined salary of 850 million USD.

"I honestly don't know where that rumor came from. I never received an offer from LIV Golf nor considered playing there. For me, the future is on the PGA Tour, until the end of my career," McIlroy affirmed on Golf Channel on April 16.

McIlroy competes at the 2023 Masters. Photo: Reuters.

The Northern Irishman, who is ranked A on the PGA Tour, has stressed his career direction after London financial news channel City AM, citing sources, said LIV Golf was close to securing McIlroy with a contract worth $850 million, including a 50% upfront payment and a 2% stake in the parent company. That benefit does not include tournament bonuses.

LIV Golf League launched in June 2022, recruiting many big names on the PGA Tour as well as the DP World Tour. As of now, the biggest estimated bids belong to Tiger Woods and McIlroy, both in the nine figures. In reality, Jon Rahm is the "official blockbuster", with an estimated salary of at least $300 million. Rahm announced that he would leave the PGA Tour late last year, starting to compete on the LIV Golf League in early February 2024.

McIlroy has previously been dismissive of the LIV Golf League and its members, most of whom are from the PGA Tour and DP World Tour. But he has softened his stance. "Over the past two years, I've learned that I have no right to judge those who have left for LIV Golf. Because everyone has the right to pursue the path they think is best. Right now, the overriding goal is to unify golf again."

McIlroy, 35, has won four majors in 24 PGA Tour events, with a combined prize money of around $80 million. He has spent 122 weeks at the top of the World Golf Ranking (OWGR).

The path to golf’s reunification was opened in June 2023, following an agreement to end the conflict between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund, which saw the two sides announce a set of preliminary terms for the project, along with the DP World Tour, to form a joint venture to link their commercial activities. But to date, this plan, considered a blockbuster in modern golf, has not been completed as the organizations involved continue to negotiate, and the project itself remains under investigation by the US government, revolving around suspicions of antitrust violations and concerns about national economic security.

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