Rory McIlroy’s former agent thinks he could join LIV Golf

Rory McIlroy’s evolving stance on LIV Golf has left some wondering whether he could complete a dramatic U-turn and join the Saudi-backed league. 

McIlroy was once LIV’s most vocal opponent and claimed last summer that he would “rather retire” than play on Greg Norman’s breakaway tour.

But after railing against the threat to the PGA Tour for so long, the four-time major champion has altered his tune, admitting that he regrets being “too judgemental” of players who jumped ship for LIV and calling for the warring circuits to unite.

He even revealed the fledgling league would be “fun” if it was reserved for a shorter period in the golfing calendar like cricket’s Indian Premier League.

Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler represented McIlroy when he first turned professional and after following his career closely, isn’t surprised whatsoever that the Northern Irishman has softened his views.

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“It’s typical Rory,” Chandler, now a semi-retired agent, told bunkered.co.uk.

“Rory is not shy in having an opinion and not slow to apologise if he’s got that wrong. When he turned pro in 2008 we were sat on a bench at Gleneagles and I had Rory telling me that the Ryder Cup meant nothing at all to him. ‘It was just an exhibition match. I’m here to win majors.’ There’s nobody bigger into the Ryder Cup now than Rory McIlroy.”

Chandler even believes McIlroy’s change of heart could indicate that a shock move to LIV may be on the cards.

“Rory is of the ilk that he’ll say something because he likes to have an opinion but he’s quite happy to apologise for it and that’s what he’s done,” the 70-year-old added. “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. 

“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. 

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“I think number one, there’s a 10% possibility he’s favouring his way to sign for LIV, but he realises that the whole bickering and fighting is no good for golf. The man in the street must find it appalling the sums of money being spoken.”

McIlroy resigned from the PGA Tour’s board three months ago after “feeling like my head was just banging against the wall”, stepping away from his role as somewhat of a de facto spokesperson for the US circuit.

“In Rory’s defence its very difficult for him because every time he does a press conference everybody wants to get him to talk about LIV and the PGA Tour,” Chandler stressed. “It must be pretty wearing for him to answer questions for something he shouldn’t be involved in. 

“How [PGA Tour commissioner] Jay Monahan has a job I have no idea. He’s managed to hang out to dry the whole of the PGA Tour who went to LIV, and the whole of the PGA Tour who didn’t go to LIV, but he’s still there. Its frightening.”

Chandler was speaking in association with InstantCasinos.com.

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.