Rory McIlroy expects LIV Golf players to leave following bankruptcy filing

4 sources3 min read • Latest: Sep 9, 2026, 2:32 PM

Last updated Sep 9, 2026

Rory McIlroy expects LIV Golf players to leave following bankruptcy filing
Summary

Rory McIlroy anticipates player departures from LIV Golf after the organization filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The circuit, which launched in 2022, is restructuring with new investment from BC Partners after the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund withdrew support in April. A federal petition filed Tuesday aims to preserve operations as a going concern, with the league expected to be majority-owned by players in a planned 2027 relaunch. McIlroy suggested that the bankruptcy filing may allow players to exit their contracts. He noted that a return of these athletes to the DP World Tour and PGA Tour could strengthen the competitiveness of upcoming golf events. The Public Investment Fund has agreed to provide $49.6 million in debtor-in-possession financing to assist through the restructuring process.

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Status Watch
  • LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States on Tuesday.
  • The Public Investment Fund is providing $49.6 million in financing for the restructuring.
  • BC Partners is set to become a new investor for the league's 2027 relaunch.
  • Rory McIlroy stated that the filing may allow players to break their current contracts.
  • The restructured operation is expected to be majority-owned by participating LIV players.
Latest Updates
  • 2:15 PMThe Guardian SportMcIlroy warns tours have ‘decisions to make’ as LIV Golf exodus edges closer
  • 2:03 PMYahoo SportsMcIlroy believes DP World Tour can benefit from LIV Golf changes
  • 1:08 PMYahoo SportsRory McIlroy predicts LIV Golf player exodus after bankruptcy protection filing
What they're saying
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‘I would predict that you’ll see some guys leave’ LIV bankruptcy will invalidate deals with players Rory McIlroy believes traditional tours will soon have “decisions to make” as a player exodus from LIV Golf edges closer. LIV filing for bankruptcy in the United States on Tuesday means its deals with several high-profile golfers will soon be invalid, leaving them free to negotiate a route back to the PGA and DP World Tours. When asked whether remaining with LIV in its planned, far-less lucrative form would hold appeal, McIlroy was characteristically candid. “I’m not in their shoes but LIV at the start looked a lot more attractive than what LIV 2.0 might be from a financial standpoint,” said the Masters champion. The Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing – stating around $45m (£33.2m) is owed to players – represented LIV’s latest step in rebooting the business due to the removal of funding from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). Sources familiar with the situation insist contracts have not yet been breached. Terms in place with star names are now unaffordable for LIV. Contracts will inevitably either be renegotiated or cancelled. Continue reading...

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Rory McIlroy feels it is inevitable some players will choose to leave LIV Golf after the organization filed for bankruptcy protection – which could be "a good thing" for the DP World Tour. The breakaway tour, which held its first tournament in 2022, says it has found a new investor in BC Partners following the decision in April by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) to pull its backing.

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Rory McIlroy predicts players will leave LIV Golf and seek opportunities elsewhere, as he questioned the appeal of the rebel league's revamped circuit after it announced it had filed for bankruptcy protection.

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