McIlroy: LIV Bankruptcy Filing Could Push Players to DP World Tour

By Staff Writer

September 10, 2026

3 min read

The 2015 Masters Tournament was the 79th Masters Tournament , and the first of golf's four major championships, held April 9–12 at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.

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Key takeaways

LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Sept. 8, 2026, listing more than $500 million in debt.
Rory McIlroy said at the Amgen Irish Open that the filing means player contracts have been breached and predicted some players will now leave.
He called a resulting flow of players toward the DP World Tour "a good thing" for that circuit.
The PGA Tour's one-time Returning Member Program closed Feb. 2, 2026, with no plans to reopen it, while the DP World Tour has already reinstated players including Jon Rahm and Henrik Stenson.
LIV's restructuring plan, backed by BC Partners, would make players majority owners of a smaller league launching in early 2027.

Rory McIlroy said Wednesday at the Amgen Irish Open that LIV Golf's bankruptcy filing frees players from their contracts and predicted some will leave the league, calling any resulting move toward the DP World Tour "a good thing" for that tour.

What did McIlroy say about the LIV bankruptcy filing?

McIlroy said he wasn't trying to predict the future, then did: some players will leave LIV because, in his view, the Chapter 11 filing means their contracts "have been breached." He added that LIV's original financial terms looked more attractive than what a restructured "LIV 2.0" is likely to offer. He also said the DP World Tour, which he called a strong alliance partner of the PGA Tour, is in good shape to absorb any players who depart.

What is LIV Golf's bankruptcy plan?

LIV filed for Chapter 11 protection on Sept. 8, 2026, listing more than $500 million in debt. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund withdrew its backing in April and has agreed to provide $49.6 million in short-term financing during the restructuring, subject to court approval. Under the plan, backed by new capital partner BC Partners, players would become majority owners of a smaller LIV Golf slated to launch in early 2027.

The tour that settled with LIV's departed players already has them in the field; the tour that closed its return path does not.

Why would players have an easier path to the DP World Tour than the PGA Tour?

The PGA Tour offered a one-time Returning Member Program to four players before closing it on Feb. 2, 2026; only Brooks Koepka used it, and commissioner Brian Rolapp said in late August there are no plans to reopen it. The DP World Tour has taken a different approach: Jon Rahm struck a deal in May to retain his membership and Ryder Cup eligibility, and Henrik Stenson was reinstated through a Legends category after settling his fines. A partnership announced in July also links the Asian Tour with the DP World Tour and PGA Tour, adding another route back for LIV players.

McIlroy did not name any players he expects to leave, and no LIV player has publicly discussed an exit since the filing. Jon Rahm told BBC Northern Ireland on Tuesday he intends to honor what he called his original LIV contract.

Frequently asked questions

When did LIV Golf file for bankruptcy?

LIV filed for Chapter 11 protection on Sept. 8, 2026, in New Jersey, listing more than $500 million in debt.

Can PGA Tour players return from LIV?

The PGA Tour's Returning Member Program closed Feb. 2, 2026, and commissioner Brian Rolapp said in August there are no plans to reopen it.

Has any player already returned to the DP World Tour from LIV?

Yes. Jon Rahm reached a deal in May to keep his DP World Tour membership, and Henrik Stenson was reinstated through a Legends category.

What happens to LIV Golf next?

Under the restructuring plan, players would become majority owners of a smaller league backed by BC Partners, expected to launch in early 2027, pending court approval.