McIlroy predicts LIV Golf departures after bankruptcy filing

Rory McIlroy told reporters ahead of the Irish Open that the recent bankruptcy filing by LIV Golf is likely to trigger a wave of player departures to the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour. He noted that the league’s original financial appeal may diminish under the proposed "LIV 2.0" structure, and that contracts could be considered breached, freeing players to seek other opportunities.

LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 protection in the United States on Tuesday after the Saudi Public Investment Fund announced it would cease funding the league beyond the 2026 season. The filing follows a series of lawsuits, event cancellations and reports that the league had been operating on loans for months.

The bankruptcy documents list several high-profile players as unsecured creditors, including Jon Rahm, who is owed about $7.5 million, and Bryson DeChambeau, owed more than $5.7 million. Legal analysts say the filing may allow those players and others to terminate existing contracts and join other tours.

The DP World Tour has historically been more receptive to former LIV members than the PGA Tour, although restrictions will prevent dual participation after 2027. The PGA Tour recently welcomed Brooks Koepka back under specific conditions, and Patrick Reed has been competing on the DP World Tour while serving a suspension.

"I would see that as a good thing for the DP World Tour," McIlroy said. "The health of the DP World Tour is in a really good spot, and its alliance with the PGA Tour is only going to get stronger. Incorporating more competitive players will make tournaments stronger for the whole golf ecosystem."

If leading players such as Rahm and DeChambeau choose to leave, LIV Golf could face further financial strain, while the traditional tours stand to benefit from an influx of talent.