Rory McIlroy Speaks Out on LIV Players Who Don't Want PGA Tour Return

May 9, 2026, 1:22 PM CUT

CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 08: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland takes a drink of water while on the tee at the fourteenth hole during the second round of the Truist Championship 2026 at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 08, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire GOLF: MAY 08 PGA, Golf Herren Truist Championship EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon573260508040

On Friday at Quail Hollow Club, Rory McIlroy made his stance clear about LIV players who have no interest in returning to the PGA Tour.

After shooting a second-round 67 at the Truist Championship, McIlroy was also asked whether it surprised him that several LIV players had publicly stated they had no interest in returning to the PGA Tour. This came after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund said it will stop funding LIV Golf after the 2026 season.

"I was probably too judgmental with the guys that went because I was seeing it from my point of view," McIlroy said. "I'm not going to judge anyone for not wanting to play on the PGA Tour."

CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 08: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland with caddie Harry Diamond following the second round of the Truist Championship 2026 at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 08, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire GOLF: MAY 08 PGA, Golf Herren Truist Championship EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon573260508050

McIlroy acknowledged he was too quick to criticize players who originally left for LIV back in 2022.

McIlroy also took a humorous jab at the financial stability of LIV players. "When one of the wealthiest sovereign wealth funds in the world thinks that you're too expensive for them, that sort of says something," he said.

He did echo PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp's view that anything strengthening the tour should be considered. McIlroy agreed with this idea, but he also pointed out that there are still big challenges, especially because many players already have contracts with LIV Golf.

"I don't know, you know, does that mean that they go play DP World Tour maybe; if that's a pathway, that would make the DP World Tour stronger, and I would be delighted with that, because that's my home TOUR, at the end of the day," he said.

McIlroy later added, "If you want to be the most competitive golfer you can be, this is the place to be," McIlroy said. "And if you don't want to play here, I think that says something about you."

Rory McIlroy Backs Up His Words at Truist Championship

On Friday, McIlroy moved to five under par, four shots behind leader Sungjae Im at Quail Hollow. It was a strong showing at a tournament he had won four times previously.

McIlroy is competing for the first time since winning back-to-back Masters titles at Augusta National last month. He said the week is serving as valuable preparation ahead of the PGA Championship.

"I've seen improvement each day," McIlroy said. "Hopefully, I can continue to see improvement over the weekend as well."

He hit 14 consecutive greens in regulation during Friday's round, a stat he acknowledged reflected growing rhythm after playing just one tournament in the previous seven weeks.

"I feel like your patterns on the golf course are always a little bit different than your patterns on the range," McIlroy said.

His Ryder Cup teammate Tommy Fleetwood sits second on eight under par after back-to-back rounds of 67.

Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Rudra Dubey