Former world number one Rory McIlroy has said he will spend “the rest of my career” on the PGA Tour and expressed bewilderment with reports claiming he could join the Saudi Arabian-backed LIV Golf tour.
A report by City AM on Sunday said McIlroy had been offered $850m (£683m) to join LIV Golf.
“I honestly don’t know how these things get started,” the 34-year-old told Golf Channel on Tuesday.
“I’ve never been offered a number from LIV and have never contemplated going to LIV. I think I’ve made it clear over the past two years that I don’t think it’s something for me.”
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World number four Jon Rahm is among the high-profile players to have joined LIV Golf, whose funders, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), reached a framework agreement with the PGA Tour in June 2023.
Reporter Todd Lewis, who conducted the interview with McIlroy for the Golf Today programme, said the four-time major winner had told him off-camera that he had held “conversations” with Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the Governor of the PIF, which were “only about the betterment of the game”.
“McIlroy said Al-Rumayyan knows his position on LIV and that’s why, out of respect, there has never been an offer,” added Lewis.
Exclusive: Rory McIlroy tells @ToddLewisGC that LIV Golf rumors are false and, “I will play the PGA Tour for the rest of my career.” Tune into Golf Today at 5 p.m. EDT for more. pic.twitter.com/PIPAWMIWGh
— Golf Central (@GolfCentral) April 16, 2024
McIlroy: LIV Golf move dismissed
Northern Irishman McIlroy emphasised that he did not “judge people who have gone and played over there”.
“One of the things I’ve realised over the past two years is people can make their own decisions for whatever they think is best for themselves,” he explained.
“Who are we to judge them for that? For me, my future is here on the PGA Tour and it’s never been any different.
“It’s never even been a conversation for us. It’s one of those things; it’s unfortunate that we have to deal with it.
“[I] will play the PGA Tour for the rest of my career. My future is on PGA Tour and it’s never been any different.”
