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On Monday morning, a report came out claiming that Rory McIlroy was on the verge of a blockbuster $850 million move to LIV Golf.
One day later, McIlroy laid those reports to rest.
In a since-deleted tweet, Todd Lewis of a Golf Channel reported that McIlroy claims he has never been offered a contract to join LIV, and that his “future is here on the PGA Tour.”
Lewis also stated his owner interview with McIlroy will be released on Golf Channel and NBCSports.com later in the day.
UPDATE:
Golf Central has now released the full interview.
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
“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. I think I’ve made it clear over the past two years that I don’t think it’s something for me.
“Doesn’t mean that I’ve judged people that have went over there. I think one of the things that I’ve realized over the past two years is that people can make their own decisions for whatever they think is best for themselves and who are to judge them for that? But personally, for me, my future is here on the PGA Tour.”
McIlroy was one of the loudest critics of the new Saudi-backed golf league. So when the rumor was released, it shocked a number of fans.
But it appears that the rumor was just that – a rumor.
Several of golf’s top stars such as Jon Rahm, Bryson Dechambeau and Brooks Koepka left the PGA Tour for LIV. Though the top three ranked golfers on the planet – Scottie Scheffler, McIlroy and Xander Schauffele – remain on the PGA Tour.
Koepka is the only player to have won a major championship since leaving the PGA Tour.
So maybe the grass isn’t always greener?