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LIV turned professional golf into an 'arms race', says McIlroy

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Rory McIlroy highlighted how LIV Golf destabilized established tours, revealing that people associated with the breakaway circuit openly discussed destroying the European tour at this year's Masters. He also pointed out that the Asian Tour was left high and dry by the league until it formed an alliance with established tours. Meanwhile, LIV faces mounting financial hurdles after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September, with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund intending to end its financial backing after 2026.

Key points

  • The commercial rivalry created by LIV Golf forced the professional game into an aggressiv…: The commercial rivalry created by LIV Golf forced the professional game into an aggressive and destabilizing arms race.
  • Established circuits like the Asian Tour required strategic partnerships with the PGA Tou…: Established circuits like the Asian Tour required strategic partnerships with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour to secure stability.
  • Disruption across men's professional golf may ultimately transition the global game into…: Disruption across men's professional golf may ultimately transition the global game into a more sustainable long-term financial model.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Nov 4 : Rory McIlroy backed criticism of LIV Golf on Wednesday, saying the Saudi-backed breakaway league had taken players and sponsors from rival tours and turned professional golf into an "arms race".

McIlroy said he agreed with DP World Tour Chief Executive Guy Kinnings' assertion that LIV had sought to undermine the European circuit, pointing to comments made by people involved with the league at this year's Masters about wanting to destroy the tour.

"They took players; they took sponsors; they turned professional golf into an arms race," the Northern Irishman told reporters ahead of the Abu Dhabi Championship.

"They were going around Augusta saying they wanted to destroy The European Tour. Yeah, I agree with everything."

McIlroy acknowledged that LIV's investment had brought benefits, including the creation of the International Series on the Asian Tour, but said the latter had ultimately been left without the support it needed.

"Where did that leave the Asian Tour? They left them high and dry," he said, adding that the tour had since returned to the fold through partnerships with the PGA…

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