Rory McIlroy says LIV Golf players face tough path returning to PGA Tour

Rory McIlroy said at the BMW Championship in St Louis on August 19 that LIV Golf players who want to return to the PGA Tour face a tough road ahead ^{[1, 2, 3, 4]}. McIlroy questioned the value LIV players brought to their tour, asking, "I mean, I would argue, have they brought value to LIV? You know? I think the PGA Tour's in a really good spot." ^[2]

The PGA Tour offered a Returning Member Program with a three-week application window that closed on February 2, 2026. Brooks Koepka rejoined the PGA Tour through that program but forfeited player equity shares for five years and is ineligible for the $100 million FedEx Cup bonus this year ^{[1, 2, 3]}. McIlroy said players who missed that February deadline — including stars like Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, and Cameron Smith — will face less favorable terms if they try to return.

"If they were offered this returning member program back in February, the one that Brooks took, then, yeah, maybe. But that has sort of come and gone. And I think it was said at the time that the deal that they might get going forward, if they do decide to come back, isn't going to be as good as the one that Brooks got. So, yeah, I would say it's going to be a tough, tough road back," McIlroy said ^[2].

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund withdrew financial backing from LIV Golf after the 2026 season, confirmed in April 2026 ^[1]. Despite this, LIV Golf secured a lead investor to continue funding the tour in 2027, announced after the season finale near Indianapolis in August ^{[1, 2, 3]}.

McIlroy has been critical of LIV Golf since its start in 2021 and said the league has "never been good for the game" ^[1]. Koepka’s decision to return entailed a significant financial sacrifice, with estimated losses of $50 million to $85 million in forfeited equity ^{[2, 3]}.

The deadline for the Returning Member Program passed in early February, and players who want to rejoin the PGA Tour now must negotiate less favorable conditions. McIlroy’s comments at the BMW Championship underscore the challenges facing LIV players seeking a return.