Rory McIlroy backs DP World Tour chief on LIV Golf tactics

Rory McIlroy Highlights LIV Golf Intentions at Masters

The remarks arrive as it emerges that the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund is withdrawing its financial support from the league, according to reporting by todays-golfer.com. McIlroy backed DP World Tour chief executive Guy Kinnings, who revealed similar details to The Scotsman regarding the financial muscle and tactics used against the circuit. “I agree with everything that Guy said,” McIlroy told reporters here at the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship.

Rival League Transformed Professional Golf into Arms Race

McIlroy agreed with Kinnings that the rival league turned professional golf into an arms race by taking players and sponsors. He noted that while the financial backer created the International Series on the Asian Tour for a couple of years, it ultimately left that circuit high and dry before it partnered with the PGA Tour and the European Tour.

It was always going to be good for a few years until something like this happened, or they realized they weren’t going to get any return on investment, or they were going leave the golf space, McIlroy said, as reported by cbssports.com. The player argued that the era gave athletes stronger bargaining power, but a financial reset is still necessary for sustainable business practices. McIlroy noted that legends like Jack Nicklaus would have benefited financially from such an environment, adding, “We are all making more money because of it.

Europe Circuit Faces Balancing Act for Returning Players

DP World Tour leadership faces a balancing act regarding membership and welcoming returning players under an invite policy. Kinnings stated that returning competitors must prove themselves in the system to protect the tour culture, despite statements made against the circuit in the past.

Notable former members returning to the European circuit include Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, Louis Oosthuizen, Tom McKibbin, and Adrian Meronk, all planning to call the circuit home in 2027. Rahm and Hatton are currently in the field at the Abu Dhabi Championship. Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter also plan to participate in some capacity next season. Kinnings clarified that special exemptions, such as those for Charles Howell III, will be reserved for tournaments of lesser stature.

“Clearly, when you are faced with statements like that, and then people then ask why we are doing what we are doing with our membership and invite policy for 2027, then I think the answer becomes pretty obvious,” Kinnings noted regarding the league’s previous efforts to dismantle the tour. Kinnings expressed interest in the PGA Tour moving its schedule from February through August. This adjustment would provide the DP World Tour a distinct window to take center stage in the global golf ecosystem.