Rory McIlroy once again pledges loyalty to PGA Tour after rumors of $850 million LIV Golf deal go viral.

Rory McIlroy shoots down LIV Golf rumor in latest interview with Todd Lewis of Golf Channel. The Irish golfer once again pledges loyalty saying “my future is here on the PGA Tour.” The rumors surrounding his shift to the Saudi-backed league spread like wildfire on social media in a single day.

The initial report came from CityAM where they stated McIlroy was “close” on sealing a $850 million deal with the three-year-old venture. It was further said that he’ll also get 2% equity for his exit from the PGA Tour. Although there were several speculations on the truth of the matter, the golf world was bewildered by the news outbreak.

Many speculated that McIlroy could join the Saudi league after his softened stance on LIV Golf following Jon Rahm’s exit from the PGA Tour. However, he confirmed that there has never been a talk with LIV and he’s “never contemplated” jumping ships.

“I’ve never been offered a number from LIV, and I’ve never contemplated going to LIV…I’ll play the PGA Tour for the rest of my career.” – Rory McIlroy on X.

Since LIV’s inception back in 2022, McIlroy along with Tiger Woods have been a staunch supporter of the PGA. They’ve, on numerous occasions defended the Tour and slammed defectors for their exit. Last year he even stated that the Saudi league was “dead in the water.”

Rory McIlroy wishes inclusion of former PGA Tour members in several events

While Rory McIlroy has made his position clear on the PGA Tour, he said he still wishes to play against his former colleagues in a number of events. Following The Masters where Jon Rahm played along with other LIV Golfers, McIlroy wishes to compete with the best players on the international stage.

The World No.2 said he doesn’t want to judge people for their decision and they are free to choose where they want to stay. When asked what he thought of the recent rumors, McIlroy admitted that he did not “know how these things get started.”

“I think one of the things that I have realized 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?” – Rory McIlroy on X.

He believes the merger can speed things up in this matter and let the players be included in several tournaments together for the betterment of the sport. However, there has been little progress in the merger talk, the latest being PGA Tour CEO Jay Monahan and Tiger Woods meeting with Yasir Al-Rumayyan for the deal talk.

The initial date was expected to be last year December 31, but the merger was delayed. The details of the recent meeting have not yet been revealed to the public, except Monahan’s statement of “constructive” in the merger talk.