Rory McIlroy believes the chances of a merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf are fading, saying the two sides are now too far apart to realistically come back together.
Speaking on Wednesday at the Dubai Desert Classic, the five-time major winner said he does not see a path toward reunification
“I just don’t see a world where it can happen at this point.”
McIlroy explained that for any real reunification to work all parties would need to make sacrifices. But in his view that is exactly what makes it unlikely.
“Just I don’t see a world where the two or three sides or whoever it is will give up enough,” he said. “Like for reunification to happen every side is going to feel like they will have lost, where you really want every side to feel like they have won. I think they are just too far apart for that to happen.”
The Northern Irishman has long been one of the most outspoken critics of LIV Golf though he has stepped back from being the public face of that opposition in recent years. Still, his comments suggest his outlook has not softened.
Last week McIlroy also questioned LIV’s momentum in an interview with The Telegraph of London.
“It’s not as if they made any huge signings this year, is it? They haven’t signed anyone who moves the needle, and I don’t think they will.”
Separately, speaking in Dubai, McIlroy addressed the Ryder Cup issue.
He said LIV players who want to remain eligible for Team Europe must still meet their DP World Tour obligations. According to him that includes paying outstanding fines stressing that tour commitments continue to matter when it comes to Ryder Cup selection.
Rory McIlroy talks about his goals moving forward
After completing the career Grand Slam last year Rory McIlroy says his mindset around golf has started to change. Instead of chasing the same targets he is now focused on enjoying the journey and setting goals that still excite him.
For McIlroy the biggest shift has been in how he approaches each week on tour.
“I think I need to show up at tournaments with enthusiasm every single time,” he said. “So playing in the places that I want to play, playing the tournaments I want to play, not feeling like I’m at a tournament because I’m obligated or have to be there but because I want to be there.”
When asked what still motivates him, McIlroy made it clear that there is plenty left on his list.
“Olympic medal. Open at St. Andrews. Yeah, maybe like a U.S. Open at one of those like old, traditional golf courses — whether it’s Shinnecock this year or Winged Foot or Pebble Beach [or] Merion.”
He also admitted that his outlook has evolved since winning the Masters.
“I would have told you two years ago,” he said, “if I won the Masters, it would have been great and I could have retired or whatever. But when you keep doing things, the goalposts keep moving and you just keep finding new things that you want to do.”
McIlroy is back in action this week on the European Tour playing for the second straight week after finishing tied for third at the Dubai Invitational. He briefly shared the lead on Sunday before ending the tournament two shots behind the winner.
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