'Have they brought value?!' - McIlroy warns of 'tough road back' for LIV stars

Rory McIlroy has cautioned that the return of LIV Golf players to the PGA Tour could be a "tough road back," and he has raised doubts about the value these players would contribute.

The LIV Golf League faces an uncertain future. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) confirmed earlier this year that they would cease funding the circuit beyond 2026, and the season-ending Team Championship in Michigan has been canceled.

LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil has stated that the circuit is "building the next chapter" and has secured an unnamed lead investor to sustain the league. However, many players are reportedly considering their options.

Brooks Koepka was permitted to return through the Returning Member Program in February, and Patrick Reed is eligible to compete starting in September. Meanwhile, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau are among the prominent players linked with returns to the PGA Tour.

When asked about LIV Golf players being allowed to rejoin the PGA Tour, McIlroy commented ahead of the BMW Championship: "I would argue, have they brought value to LIV? I think the PGA Tour is in a really good spot."

McIlroy added: "Look, eventually they will [be welcomed back]. I'm not part of these discussions, but I'm pretty sure they're not going to be welcomed back straight away.

"If they were offered this returning member program back in February, the one that Brooks [Koepka] took, then yeah, maybe, but that has come and gone.

"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. I would say it's going to be a tough, tough road back."

LIV Golf remains optimistic about its 2027 schedule, which could feature five major Team Championships across five continents and five team Signature Events alongside the majors. However, McIlroy believes the PGA Tour remains the premier platform for the world's top golfers.

"I think I feel like I've kept my position consistent that LIV has never been a good thing for the game," McIlroy explained. "Whatever 2.0 looks like, if it even happens, they say they're trying to be more collaborative and all that.

"This [PGA Tour] is the best platform for the top professional golfers in the world. Were there some things at the start of LIV that the PGA Tour could have done better? Sure.

"You think back to the start with say, Phil [Mickelson] unhappy with some stuff or whatever it was. Surely that just warranted a conversation instead of blowing the entire professional game up and doing something else?

"I don't take any personal satisfaction of people losing jobs - that doesn't seem right. I've always felt like this is the best place to play professional golf. I'm pretty sure if the PGA Tour were handed six billion dollars it would have done a better job with it."

'Some LIV players would offer PGA Tour value'

Tyrrell Hatton and Joaquin Niemann are among other players who have secured victories on LIV Golf this season. However, Scottie Scheffler anticipates that any players seeking a return will face penalties before rejoining the DP World Tour.

"When we talk about the best players [in the world], LIV has a few players that are really good," Scheffler explained. "I think the depth that we have on our tour is bit unmatched.

"I think when you look at the higher levels of LIV Golf there's definitely some players that would provide a lot of value to the [PGA] Tour and guys that I love competing against.

"I think going forward there obviously has to be some sort of penalties. What those are, I'll let [Brian] Rolapp [PGA Tour CEO] and all those guys figure it out. Whatever happens with LIV, whether those guys want to leave, you've got to ask them.

"I think, for me, being able to compete against the best players in the world [is what he wants]. There's certainly some guys on that tour [LIV Golf] that can compete out here. I look forward to the chance to compete with them more often."