Rory McIlroy has predicted players will leave LIV Golf following the breakaway circuit's bankruptcy filing and believes their return could strengthen the DP World Tour.
LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States on Tuesday as it attempts to restructure its business following the withdrawal of financial backing from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF).
The proposed restructuring would see LIV return in a new form in 2027, with players potentially becoming majority owners of the league and BC Partners Credit providing financial backing. However, players are not obliged to commit to the revamped circuit.
McIlroy, speaking ahead of this week's Irish Open at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, said he expects some of LIV's players to seek opportunities elsewhere.
"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," McIlroy said.
"I'm not trying to predict the future but I would predict that you'll see some guys leave, as they are free to now as, I guess, contracts have been breached by them filing for bankruptcy.
"I think that means other tours have decisions to make. And obviously there's a lot of players on LIV that can strengthen golf tournaments and make them more competitive. So I would see that as a good thing for the DP World Tour."
The bankruptcy filing has thrown the futures of some of LIV's biggest names into doubt.
Jon Rahm is listed as LIV's largest unsecured player creditor at approximately $7.5 million, while Bryson DeChambeau is owed around $5.8m. Dustin Johnson and Cameron Smith are also among several players owed millions. LIV listed estimated liabilities of between $500m and $1 billion and assets of between $100m and $500m.
Rahm, DeChambeau and Smith all rejected the opportunity to return to the PGA Tour earlier this year through its Returning Member Program.
The trio said in January that they remained committed to LIV for the 2026 season. DeChambeau's existing LIV contract was due to expire after the campaign, while Rahm and Smith had multiple years remaining on their deals, sources told ESPN at the time.
- LIV Golf officially files for bankruptcy protection
- U.S. Ryder Cup team changing qualifying criteria for 2027 matches
- McIlroy: Trump visit adds attention to Irish Open, 'can only be a good thing'
LIV said Tuesday that it intends to emerge from Chapter 11 and begin what it has called its "new era" in early 2027.
Under its proposed model, the league plans to expand its fields to 75 players, introduce a cut and add new qualification routes, while shifting towards a player-ownership structure.
McIlroy believes the uncertainty could ultimately benefit the DP World Tour and its strategic alliance with the PGA Tour.
"I think the health of the DP World Tour is in a really good spot," McIlroy said. "They have a wonderful alliance with the PGA TOUR. I think that alliance is only going to get stronger, especially with the PGA TOUR committing to working with the DP World Tour for some of these international events at this time of the year going forward.
"So you have PGA TOUR players really with nothing to do for five months in this period. If they are incorporated or whoever else is incorporated into these tournaments, that makes them more competitive.
"Overall, I think with the way things are working out, it's a very good thing for the golf ecosystem. I think it only makes these tournaments stronger with more competitive players in them."
