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‘I would predict that you’ll see some guys leave’
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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.