Report: Rory McIlroy linked with LIV Golf move

Rory McIlroy has been linked with a shock move to LIV Golf, despite the Northern Irishman committing to a busy PGA Tour schedule.

After a disappointing Masters, McIlroy is set to compete in eight of the next ten events on the American circuit, including this week’s RBC Heritage.

The event at Hilton Head will mark the start of a hectic month as McIlroy prepares for a tilt at the PGA Championship, which was the last major title he won in 2014.

Despite that, London financial paper City A.M. reported that McIlroy could make a remarkable U-turn and join LIV Golf in a deal worth $850 million.

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“Two separate sources have told City A.M. that they believe a deal is close,” the paper said.

According to the report, sources claim the move could be announced after the Masters and would hand McIlroy “around two per cent equity in the competition”.

McIlroy’s management did not respond to City A.M.’s request for comment, however other reports have rubbished the speculation.

Jamie Weir, of Sky Sports News, has shut down the reports. He posted on X: “I’m told this story is complete nonsense.”

The Telegraph’s James Corrigan wrote that he has ‘heard nothing’ and would be ‘stunned’ if the move was to go through.

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It comes after McIlroy made his intentions clear over leaving the PGA Tour last month. He told ESPN: “It’s not for me. I’m too much of a traditionalist.

“I’m steeped in the — 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.

“Like that to me is a big deal in our game.”

Meanwhile, McIlroy’s former agent Chubby Chandler told bunkered.co.uk that the four-time major champ could jump ship for the Saudi-backed league.

Chandler insists he wouldn’t be surprised if a move was on the cards.

“If you were being cynical, you might say he’s going to sign for about £750million in a month’s time with LIV because he’s paving the way that LIV’s okay now, whereas it wasn’t,” Chandler said.

“Who knows? He doesn’t need £750m but it’s odd what he’s done and I’m sure it’s a possibility. If he does it or not, I don’t know, but if Rahm can do it, most guys can do it.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.