'Have they brought value?': McIlroy fires shot at returning LIV Golf stars

McIlroy's 'Thinly Veiled' Shot at LIV Players

Rory McIlroy has fired a thinly veiled shot at some of LIV Golf's biggest names who may seek to return to the PGA Tour, questioning what value they would offer the US-based circuit. Speaking to reporters ahead of the BMW Championship, McIlroy said, "I mean, I would argue, have they brought value to LIV? You know?" He added, "I think the PGA Tour's in a really good spot."

McIlroy also suggested that players returning from LIV could face a "tough road back," noting that the deal Brooks Koepka received earlier this year may no longer be on the table. "If they were offered this returning member program back in February, the one that Brooks took, then, yeah, maybe. But that has sort of come and gone," McIlroy said. "The deal that they might get going forward, if they do decide to come back, isn't going to be as good as the one that Brooks got."

LIV Golf's Future and the Returning Member Program

LIV Golf is wrapping up its 2026 season this week near Indianapolis and said earlier this month that it had secured a lead investor to provide a funding boost as it prepares for a future without backing from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. According to LIV CEO Scott O'Neil, players would be equity owners and have their commercial rights restored under the new structure. O'Neil outlined plans for five team championships overseas and five individual tournaments in the United States scheduled close to the majors for those who qualify, but did not name the lead investor—identified by several outlets as Ted Goldthorpe of BC Partners—nor set a public deadline for players to commit to the new model. LIV Golf has spent more than $5 billion in five years.

Brooks Koepka was the first player to return to the PGA Tour this year under a limited-time Returning Member Program, which closed on February 2 after a three-week application window. Koepka's return came at a cost, with the five-time major winner facing a five-year forfeiture of potential equity in the PGA Tour's Player Equity Program, representing an estimated $50–85 million loss. He also could not play $20 million signature events unless he earned his way, paid $5 million to charity, and had no access to equity. The PGA Tour put the penalty value at $50 million and upward.

Westwood vs. McIlroy: A Long-Running Feud Reignited

Lee Westwood, competing at a LIV event the same week, responded dismissively to McIlroy's question: "Just typical of Rory, really, not very well thought out." The exchange reignited one of golf's longest-running feuds, which dates back nearly two decades when both were under the same management stable under Chubby Chandler.

Their relationship soured over the years, with notable flashpoints including McIlroy's 2009 comment about being glad not to be paired with Westwood at the Dubai World Championship—which Westwood went on to win—and McIlroy's 2011 management switch, which Westwood called "a bizarre decision" on Twitter, prompting McIlroy to unfollow both Westwood and Chandler. As Ryder Cup teammates, they maintained a working relationship, and Westwood even defended McIlroy on social media more than once. But the civility had its limits once LIV happened. McIlroy became the most vocal critic of the breakaway tour, and in 2022 spoke of feeling a sense of betrayal from former Ryder Cup colleagues who had crossed over, referring to Westwood, Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, and others. Westwood has called McIlroy's camp brainwashed and hypocritical, and when McIlroy described LIV's proposed 2026 format as peculiar, Westwood dismissed it, saying, "I don't pay too much attention to what Rory says, really. He'll change his mind next week." Westwood also pointed out McIlroy's tendency to "snap-hook under pressure" after Augusta in 2011.

Cameron Smith's Title Charge at LIV Indianapolis

[Note: The following section is based on reporting from PerthNow, which is not part of the primary sources for the McIlroy story but provides additional context on Cameron Smith's performance at the LIV Golf season finale.]

Cameron Smith has ridden an emotional rollercoaster to remain "right there" in the mix for a drought-breaking victory at LIV Golf's season finale in Indianapolis. At 12 under for the championship, Smith will start the final round just one stroke behind American leader Michael La Sasso in a four-way tie for second with Richard Bland, Laurie Canter, and Thomas Detry. Smith shot a third-round three-under-par 67 on Saturday (Sunday AEST), with three birdies in his first seven holes before faltering on the 13th and 14th holes and three-putting the 15th for a bogey. He regrouped to birdie the 18th after pulling his drive left.

"Pretty solid. It was pretty tricky out there, to be fair," Smith said. "It's starting to feel nice. I wouldn't say major championship Cameron's come out yet, but it's feeling really close." His last win was at LIV Bedminster in August 2023.

Smith's Ripper GC rose to third in the team standings, three strokes behind Rahm's Legion XIII. Other Australians include Marc Leishman at nine under, Travis Smyth at six under, and Lucas Herbert three shots further back. Jon Rahm fired a Saturday 67 and is among 14 players within three shots of the lead entering the final round.

Looking Ahead

As LIV Golf transitions to a new funding model, the futures of Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm—whose contracts are up this year and after 2027, respectively—remain uncertain. Scottie Scheffler has said he is not opposed to the return of LIV players, but with some form of penalty. McIlroy, meanwhile, has made it clear that any returning players should not expect the same welcome or terms that Koepka received.