McIlroy questions the benefit LIV players would bring to the PGA Tour

At the BMW Championship, Rory McIlroy raised doubts about the advantage that former LIV Golf competitors would provide the PGA Tour if they were allowed back, asking whether they have actually added value to LIV. Scottie Scheffler agreed that any return would need to be accompanied by some form of penalty, leaving the specifics to PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp. The league’s outlook is shaky after its latest event near Indianapolis became its final tournament without Saudi sovereign wealth backing, and CEO Scott O'Neil is set to address its future.

Brooks Koepka was the first to rejoin the PGA Tour this year under conditions that barred him from $20 million signature events, required a $5 million charity donation and excluded equity stakes. Similar offers, with a two-week decision window, have been extended to Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith, all major champions who joined LIV in 2022. McIlroy, a long-one outlet critic of LIV, has softened his tone over time but remains hesitant about the quality of offers now compared with Koepka’s deal.