LOS ANGELES – Rory McIlroy has denied a published report on April 16 linking him to a US$850 million (S$1.1 billion) move to LIV Golf, saying that he plans to remain with the PGA Tour for “the rest of my career”.
His agent, Sean O’Flaherty, also called the story in the London newspaper City AM “fake news”.
McIlroy addressed the report with Golf Channel from the practice range in Hilton Head, South Carolina, site of the RBC Heritage tournament which starts on April 18.
“I honestly don’t know how these things get started,” the four-time Major champion said.
“I’ve never been offered a number from LIV, and I’ve never contemplated going to LIV. Again, I think I’ve made it clear over the past two years that I don’t think it’s something for me.
“It doesn’t mean that I judge people who have went and played over there. I think one of the things that I have realised is that people can make their own decisions... and who are we to judge them for that? But personally, for me, my future is here on the PGA Tour, and it’s never been any different.”
O’Flaherty told the Irish Independent there was “zero truth” to the report, which claimed “two separate sources” confirmed that a deal was close to give McIlroy US$850 million to join plus a 2 per cent equity stake in the league.
“It’s never even been a conversation for us,” McIlroy added.
“It’s unfortunate we have to deal with it, and this is the state our game is in. I’m obviously here and going to the PGA Tour event next week, and I’ll play the PGA Tour the rest of my career.”
The Northern Irishman, 34, has been one of the most prominent critics of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf since it was launched in 2021.
In June 2023, he described himself as the PGA Tour’s “sacrificial lamb” when, after all his backing for the tour, it turned around and announced a partnership with the breakaway circuit.
In December, LIV Golf lured Spaniard Jon Rahm into its ranks with a deal reportedly worth more than US$350 million – its biggest acquisition so far in terms of both value and name.
McIlroy has resigned to fate and reiterated that every golfer has his own freedom to choose where he wants to play.
“I think the one thing I’ve realised as well is guys need to keep an open mind, and I’m sure there’s been players that are still playing on the PGA Tour that have talked to the guys from LIV and had offers and whatever,” he added.
But if another wave of players defecting for LIV Golf is on the horizon, it is not going to include Matt Fitzpatrick.
On the same day that McIlroy denied the US$850 million report and with rumours also swirling about a potential defection by Viktor Hovland, the Englishman reiterated that he has no intention of signing with LIV.
“There’s been no rumours about me,” the 29-year-old said ahead of his title defence at the RBC Heritage. “For me, I want to stay out of it. I don’t really have any interest.
“I want to play tournaments like the RBC Heritage, I want to play The Players Championship, I want to go and play BMW Wentworth. That’s what’s important to me, that’s what I want to go do and that’s what I’ll continue to do.”
Fitzpatrick is 12th in the Official World Golf Ranking entering the RBC Heritage, one spot below countryman Tommy Fleetwood. He is coming off a tied-22nd finish at the Masters on April 14.
World No. 2 McIlroy was also part of that joint-22nd group, which finished 15 strokes behind winner and top-ranked Scottie Scheffler.
REUTERS, AFP
