Rory McIlroy, once the loudest critic of LIV Golf, has dramatically softened his stance, signaling a shift that could reshape the future of the sport.
For years, the Northern Irishman was the PGA Tour’s de facto ambassador, standing firmly against the Saudi-backed rival league. He mocked its legitimacy, blasted defectors, and even claimed he’d rather retire than play under the LIV banner.
Now? McIlroy is actively calling for unity—and even suggesting Donald Trump could help broker a peace deal.
So, what changed? How did McIlroy go from refusing to acknowledge LIV Golf to advocating for its players to be welcomed back into the PGA Tour?
McIlroy’s Anti-LIV Stance – ‘I Hope It Goes Away’
🚨 2020: The first warning signs – McIlroy spoke out against breakaway leagues, insisting he wanted to be “on the right side of history.”
🚨 2022: LIV launches, and McIlroy’s hostility explodes: “I hate what it’s doing to golf. I hate it. I really do.”
🚨 2023: The anger grows stronger – McIlroy outright rejects a LIV-PGA merger, saying: “I still hate LIV. I hope it goes away.”
🚨 July 2023: McIlroy goes nuclear – “If LIV Golf was the last place to play golf on Earth, I would retire.”
At this point, McIlroy’s war with LIV was personal. He saw himself as the last line of defense for the legacy and integrity of professional golf.
So how did one of LIV’s greatest enemies become a supporter of reconciliation?
A Dramatic Change in 2024 – McIlroy Sees the Bigger Picture
The first cracks in McIlroy’s anti-LIV wall appeared in early 2024, when he admitted he had been too quick to judge the players who joined LIV.
“I think, at this point, I was maybe a little judgmental of the guys who went to LIV Golf at the start,” McIlroy said on the Stick to Football podcast.
“I now realize not everyone is in my position or in Tiger Woods’ position.”
The key shift? McIlroy acknowledged the financial realities of professional sports, understanding that not all players have the luxury of turning down massive paydays.
His stance continued to evolve in February 2024, when he went even further:
“I think life is about choices. Guys made choices to go and play LIV, guys made choices to stay here.”
“I think it’s hard to punish people. I don’t think there should be a punishment. The faster we can all get back together, the better it is for golf.”
This was the moment McIlroy’s tone truly changed. Instead of being the PGA Tour’s attack dog, he was now calling for peace.
McIlroy Turns to Donald Trump to End the Golf War?
Perhaps the most unexpected twist came in November 2024, when McIlroy suggested Donald Trump might be the key to negotiating a final deal between LIV and the PGA Tour.
“Trump has a great relationship with Saudi Arabia, he’s got a great relationship with golf, he’s a lover of golf, so maybe he could help.”
While McIlroy admitted the situation was “more complicated” than it seems, his willingness to involve Trump was a major departure from his previous disdain for LIV.
Still Some Reservations – McIlroy Questions Tom McKibbin’s Move to LIV
Despite his softened stance, McIlroy remains uneasy about younger players choosing LIV over the PGA Tour.
His biggest concern? The risk of losing access to majors and Ryder Cup spots.
When his fellow Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin opted to join Jon Rahm’s LIV team instead of pursuing a PGA Tour career, McIlroy admitted he was disappointed.
“If I were in his shoes, I would make a different choice.”
McIlroy still believes that the PGA Tour offers the best long-term career path, but he is no longer willing to demonize players for taking a different route.
What’s Next? Will McIlroy Embrace LIV Entirely?
McIlroy’s evolution on LIV Golf is undeniable—but will he go as far as playing in LIV events himself?
Right now, that seems highly unlikely.
However, his push for unification and his call to allow LIV players back into the PGA Tour without punishment is a massive shift from where he was just a year ago.
The big question now is:
👉 Will a final PGA-LIV merger actually happen?
👉 If it does, will McIlroy fully embrace it—or will he remain skeptical?
👉 Could Trump really play a role in ending golf’s civil war?
One thing is certain—golf is changing fast, and Rory McIlroy is changing with it.