Rory McIlroy believes it is inevitable that golfers will choose to depart LIV Golf following the organisation’s decision to file for bankruptcy protection, an outcome he considers potentially “a good thing” for the DP World Tour.
The breakaway circuit, which held its inaugural event in 2022, says it has secured BC Partners as a new investor after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) decided to withdraw its support in April.
On Tuesday, a Chapter 11 petition was submitted in the United States intended to “preserve the company’s business as a going concern”, with the restructured operation anticipated to be majority-owned by LIV players.
PIF has agreed to supply $49.6 million (£37.7m) in debtor-in-possession financing to assist LIV throughout its restructuring, with its next chapter planned to launch in early 2027.
It remains unclear how much of its field will stay loyal to LIV, as star names including Jon Rahm have been linked with potential returns to the PGA Tour.
McIlroy considers the forthcoming adjustments to be a positive development for the broader landscape.
“I am not in their shoes, but LIV at the start looked a lot more attractive than what LIV 2.0 might be from a financial standpoint,” McIlroy stated at a press conference on Wednesday prior to defending his Irish Open title at Doonbeg.
“I am not trying to predict the future, but I would predict that you will see some guys leave, as they are free to now as, I guess, contracts have been breached by them filing for bankruptcy.
“I think that means other tours have decisions to make, and obviously there’s a lot of players on LIV that can strengthen golf tournaments and make them more competitive, so I would see that as a good thing for the DP World Tour.
“The health of the DP World Tour is in a really good spot. They have a wonderful alliance with the PGA Tour.”
McIlroy added: “I think that alliance is only going to get stronger, especially with the PGA Tour committing to working with the DP World Tour for some of these international events at this time of the year going forward.
“So you have PGA Tour players really with nothing to do for five months in this period. If they are incorporated or whoever else is incorporated into these tournaments, that makes them more competitive.
“Overall, I think with the way things are working out, it is a very good thing for the golf ecosystem. I think it only makes these tournaments stronger with more competitive players in them.”
