Six-time major winner Rory McIlroy has remained one of golf’s most vocal figures throughout the LIV Golf divide since 2022. He recently weighed in once again on the matter.

Speaking after the latest developments of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund backing of LIV being pulled, McIlroy admitted many people in the golf world did not expect the situation to unfold this way.

"I feel like a lot of us in this room, including me, we almost knew before the players did that this was going to happen. Like I was hearing about this back in March, April time,” said Rory McIlroy on Tuesday during a Press conference at Aronimink Golf Club, shared via the PGA Championship on YouTube.

McIlroy then revealed that conversations with people close to LIV players made the situation even more surprising, especially because many inside the circuit reportedly did not indicate that a major funding decision was coming.

“He [Ricky, caddies for Tom McKibbin] was like, 'No, everything seems okay over here'. It just feels like the rug was pulled from under their feet, and everyone was sort of blind sided by it."

"But again, that's the risk that those guys chose to take. As I said, it leaves -- there's a lot of uncertainty in the air right now," added the Northern Irish golfer.

The funding decision became official on April 30, 2026, when Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund announced it would stop backing LIV Golf after the 2026 season. The move followed reports that the fund had spent more than $5 billion on the league since its launch in 2022.

The announcement also brought leadership changes within LIV Golf, as PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan stepped down as chairman. McIlroy believes that LIV's future is in murky waters, with no clear sponsorships on the horizon.

Rory McIlroy says LIV Golf’s future could look different after PIF exit

The 2026 Masters winner questioned the stability of the league’s current financial structure, especially with uncertainty surrounding long-term sponsorship commitments.

“I guess from what I read, they've got some sponsorship revenue for I don't know how long those commitments are,” said the 37-year-old.

After losing backing from the Saudi PIF beyond 2026, LIV Golf has begun looking for new ways to keep the league financially viable.

The league is now trying to bring in outside investors, private equity groups, and corporate partners.

“It's certainly going to -- look, if they do somehow get a schedule together for next year, it seems like it's going to look drastically different to what it's looked like over the last four years,” added McIlroy.

LIV Golf also plans to focus more on its team model by selling stakes in franchises to investors and business groups.

Do you think LIV Golf can survive without PIF backing? Let us know your thoughts.

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Written by

Aditi Singh

Edited by

Surjo Ray