McIlroy Warns $30 Million PGA Demands Could Erode Canadian Open as LIV's $5 Billion Threat Fades
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 17
McIlroy Warns $30 Million PGA Demands Could Erode Canadian Open as LIV's $5 Billion Threat Fades
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 17
Summary
Rory McIlroy said the PGA Tour’s post-LIV overhaul is now threatening established events, warning tournaments could lose stature if sponsors cannot meet roughly $30 million funding demands.
The world No. 2 said LIV created a “false economy” that pushed the tour to raise purses, shrink fields and build eight $20 million signature events to keep top players.
McIlroy argued that model now looks less necessary because LIV’s future has dimmed after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund said it will stop financing the circuit at the end of 2026.
The Canadian Open was his clearest example: he said moving it to a lower “Track 2” tier would effectively reduce a historic event to a glorified Korn Ferry-level stop.
His comments came ahead of the US Open at Shinnecock Hills, where McIlroy opens at 7:52 a.m. local time seeking a second title.