Golfer Rory McIlroy dismisses rumours he is on the verge of move to LIV Golf tour

While the Holywood star pulled out of a scheduled press conference ahead of this weekend’s latest tournament in the USA, the golfer himself has since come out and rubbished the claims.

“I honestly don’t know how these things get started,” McIlroy said in an interview with Golf Channel which he subsequently posted on his official account on X, formerly Twitter.

“I’ve never been offered a number from LIV and I’ve never contemplated going to LIV.

“I think I’ve made it clear over the past two years that I don’t think it’s something for me.

“Doesn’t mean that I judge people that went and played over there. I think one of the things that I’ve realised over the past two years is people can make their own decisions for whatever they think is best for themselves and who are we to judge them for that?

“But personally for me my future is here on the PGA Tour and it’s never been any different.”

Asked if he knew where the rumour had originated, McIlroy said: “No, no idea.

“Jeez, I think over the last two years there’s been so many rumours of guys… and I think the one thing I’ve realised as well is guys need to keep an open mind and I’m sure there’s been players who are still playing on the PGA Tour that have talked to the guys from LIV and had offers and whatever.

“But I have no idea. It’s never even been a conversation for us and it’s one of those things.

“It’s unfortunate we have to deal with it and this is the state that our game’s in but I’m obviously here today, playing this PGA Tour event and I will play the PGA Tour for the rest of my career.”

Earlier in the day, McIlroy’s manager Sean O’Flaherty dismissed speculation the four time Major winner was about to join the breakaway tour for a $850m payday.

“Not leaving, fake news, zero truth,” was the short response.

McIlroy has been one of the most vehement opponents to the Saudi-backed breakaway league since its inception in 2021.

But his stance towards the PGA Tour’s rival league has softened following the shock announcement last summer that the PGA Tour and DP World Tour were in talks with LIV Golf over a strategic partnership.

Despite some backtracking on his previous opposition to the LIV Golf Series, McIlroy stated his position on the prospect of joining the Grey Norman fronted rival tour last month.

“It’s not for me,” he told ESPN. “I’m too much of a traditionalist.

“I love winning golf tournaments and looking at the trophy and seeing that Sam Snead won this trophy or Ben Hogan or Gene Sarazen or Jack Nicklaus or Gary Player or Tiger Woods or Nick Faldo, whoever it is, the people that came before me. That to me is a big deal in our game.”

The 34-year-old has launched several scathing attacks against the emergence of LIV Golf, which he claimed back in 2022 had “ripped the game apart”.

Among the early defectors, Northern Ireland’s former US Open champion Graeme McDowell was uncomfortable in defending his decision to switch.

“If you believe in something, I think you have to speak up, and I believe very strongly about this,” said McIlroy of the rival tour.

“I hate what it’s doing to the game of golf. I hate it. I really do.”

McIlroy has recently softened his stance on the breakaway tour.

“I think I was maybe a little judgemental of the guys who went to LIV golf at the start, and I think it was a bit of a mistake on my part because I now realise that not everyone is in my position or in Tiger Woods’ position,” he said. McIlroy has clashed with several LIV stars, including his close friend Sergio Garcia, over his defection to LIV.

The pair are now back on speaking terms after rekindling their friendship.

With LIV Golf Commissioner Greg Norman stalking McIlroy’s every move around the Augusta National course over the weekend, the rumours of a deal being readied were rife.

“Didn’t see him,” was McIlroy’s short response when asked if he’d been aware of his presence.

McIlroy had also said he had been left feeling “like a sacrificial lamb” after LIV Golf, the PGA Tour DP World Tour announced peace talks last summer.