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Rory McIlroy and DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings suggest a reset is necessary for the sport's sustainability after claims that LIV Golf intended to destroy the European Tour.
Rory McIlroy has called for a "reset" in men's professional golf to ensure long-term sustainability, following claims that LIV Golf officials expressed intentions to "destroy the European Tour" during the 2026 Masters.
Speaking ahead of the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship, McIlroy stated, "They [LIV Golf] took players; they took sponsors; they turned professional golf into an arms race." He added that officials were "going around Augusta saying they wanted to destroy The European Tour."
McIlroy characterized the period as a "false economy" and noted that while the breakaway series may have provided short-term benefits, it was not good for the overall health of the professional game. "If you want sustainable tours, and we want these tours around in 50 years' time, there has to be sustainable business practises in place," McIlroy said.
DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings described the current landscape as a time for "a bit of a recalibration for the game." Kinnings noted that LIV Golf's model was unsustainable, stating, "What LIV did was take prize funds to an artificially high level... on the back of an entirely unsustainable economic model."
Kinnings reported that the European Tour Group maintains "strong cash reserves" and has over $1 billion currently contracted across the tour. He also noted that TV viewership is up 7% this year, while consumer levels for ticketing and merchandise have increased 30% year on year.
LIV Golf recently filed for bankruptcy protection following the withdrawal of backing from the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), which had previously provided more than $5 billion. While reports suggest a possible $300 million in financing from BC Partners Credit could lead to a relaunch of the league, several high-profile players, including Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia, have confirmed they would not re-sign with the league and would return to the DP World Tour.
The instability surrounding LIV Golf has created significant uncertainty regarding membership, sponsorship, and the global golf schedule. As the DP World Tour looks toward 2028, leadership is considering various adjustments, including potential changes to the tournament schedule and the pursuit of external capital investment to ensure the circuit's long-term viability.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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