Rory McIlroy admits to regretting his lack of “empathy” during the LIV Golf split, while calling for reunification and backing Jon Rahm’s Ryder Cup future.

Rory McIlroy admits to regretting his lack of “empathy” during the LIV Golf split, while calling for reunification and backing Jon Rahm’s Ryder Cup future.

Rory McIlroy has opened up about his role during the contentious split between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, expressing regret over his approach and emphasizing the need for unity in professional golf. Speaking before the Canadian Open last week, McIlroy acknowledged that he would have handled things differently when prominent golfers like Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau left for the Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf.

As a key figure opposing LIV, McIlroy often criticized the tour and players who departed from the PGA Tour. However, his stance shifted dramatically following a framework agreement for a merger between the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund (PIF), LIV’s backer. Negotiated without his involvement, this agreement prompted McIlroy to advocate for the reunification of the sport.

On the Beyond The Clubhouse podcast, McIlroy reflected on his early involvement in the PGA Tour-LIV Golf dispute. “Maybe putting so much into it and not really getting that much back in return,” he joked. “But I think people are going to do what they’re going to do. People are, ultimately going to make decisions that they feel is the best thing for themselves.”

He admitted, “For me, I maybe just didn’t have the empathy to understand where people were coming from whenever they decided to go to LIV. A couple of years down the line, I’ve got a better perspective on it.”

McIlroy hopes for the professional game to come together again, noting the division has been unfortunate. “It’s created this divide in the game, which is unfortunate, but hopefully in the future, we can all come back together, which will be great for everyone involved in golf. We see it four times a year and I think we need to see it more times than that.”

The finalization of the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and PIF merger remains unresolved, with significant delays and resignations from the PGA Tour Policy Board due to frustration over progress. McIlroy remains optimistic, stating, “These things take time, these things don’t happen overnight and there are going to have to be compromises made on both sides. 2026, if that just means we’ve got a year and a half left of this and 2026 looks a little different, I actually think that’s a pretty good timeline considering all the things that have to be worked out.”

McIlroy also addressed Jon Rahm’s future in the Ryder Cup following Rahm’s unexpected move to LIV in December. Despite potential hurdles, McIlroy is confident Rahm will be part of Luke Donald’s team at Bethpage Black in 2025. “Absolutely,” McIlroy affirmed. “I don’t see a world where Jon Rahm isn’t on the Ryder Cup team. We need him, he’s great in the team room and everyone loves him. Especially at Bethpage next time, we need Jon Rahm on that team. We need all the help we can get [with the crowds].”

As the golfing world anticipates further developments, McIlroy’s reflections signal a hopeful shift towards reconciliation and collaboration among the sport’s top players and organizations.