McIlroy: LIV Golf wanted to destroy European Tour

McIlroy claims LIV wanted to destroy tour

Six-time major winner Rory McIlroy says those connected to LIV Golf expressed ambition to destroy the European Tour at the 2026 Masters, months before the league filed for bankruptcy protection.

“They were going around Augusta saying they wanted to destroy the European Tour.”

DP World Tour CEO confirms the claim

DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings said LIV had a stated aim to destroy the DP World Tour.

McIlroy: LIV created unsustainable arms race

McIlroy said LIV Golf took players and sponsors and turned professional golf into an arms race. He predicted the league would collapse when investors realised they would not get returns or decided to invest elsewhere.

“They took players; they took sponsors; they turned professional golf into an arms race.”

Saudi fund withdraws after five billion investment

The Saudi Public Investment Fund withdrew its backing after investing more than five billion dollars.

Leading players already walking away

Leading players including Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia have already left LIV Golf. McIlroy said the league gave players leverage over the tours but created a false economy that needs resetting for sustainable professional golf.

“They created a false economy within men's professional golf.”

McIlroy chasing eighth Race to Dubai title

McIlroy is third in the Race to Dubai standings, trailing Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra by nine hundred ninety-nine point zero three points.