Rory McIlroy has denied rumors that he is close to accepting an offer with LIV Golf.
Speaking to Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis at the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage event Tuesday, McIlroy shut down a report from London-based newspaper City A.M. saying that he would receive a staggering $850 million contract and two percent equity in LIV in order to leave the PGA Tour.
McIlroy said he intends to play on the PGA Tour for the rest of his career.
“I honestly don’t know how these things get started,” McIlroy said. “I’ve never been offered a number from LIV, and I’ve never contemplated going to LIV. Again, I think I’ve made it clear over the past two years that I don’t think it’s something for me. That doesn’t mean I judge people that have went to play over there. I think one of the things that I’ve realized over the past two years is people can make their own decisions for whatever they think is best for themselves.
“Who are we to judge them for that? But personally, for me, my future is here on the PGA Tour, and it’s never been any different.”
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Since the onset of the divide in men’s professional golf, McIlroy has served as the PGA Tour’s de facto spokesperson, repeatedly pledging his loyalty. When the June 6 framework agreement between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabian PIF was first announced, McIlroy told the media the deal made him feel like a “sacrificial lamb,” and he “still hates” LIV Golf. He later left the PGA Tour policy board.
McIlroy’s stance on the sport’s division has been evolving. Recently, the 24-time PGA Tour winner has been calling for the unification of the game on a global stage. As negotiations continue to stall behind closed doors, McIlroy has said the current state of the game is “not sustainable” and that the two parties must move forward with a finalized deal.
Recent major champions Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, Cam Smith and Bryson DeChambeau are all members of the Saudi-backed circuit.
“No idea,” McIlroy said of the report’s origins. “Over the last two years, there’s been so many rumors of guys, and I think the one thing I’ve realized as well is guys need to keep an open mind. I’m sure there’s been players that are still on the PGA Tour that have talked to the guys from LIV and had offers, and whatever.
“Yeah, I have no idea. It’s never even been a conversation for us. It’s one of the things — it’s unfortunate that we have to deal with it. This is the state that our game is in. But I’m obviously here today, and I’m playing the PGA Tour event next week, and I’ll play the PGA Tour for the rest of my career.”
McIlroy will tee it up at Harbour Town Golf Links on Thursday. He is coming off a T22 finish at Augusta National.
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(Photo: Warren Little / Getty Images)
