Rory McIlroy labels LIV Golf fields 'weak' as opens up on the PIF-backed tour embracing a 72-hole format

Rory McIlroy's mentee Tom McKibbin recently made headlines after winning the Link Hong Kong Open at Fanling. Although they have shared a mentor-protégé relationship, McKibbin once ignored his fellow Northern Irishman's advice and joined LIV Golf.

Over the years, the Saudi golf league has often come under strict scrutiny due to its 54 hole no-cut competitive format. Despite playing on different tours, McIlroy never hesitated to praise McKibbin over the latter's skills. However, in a recent press release, Rory McIlroy ended up throwing shade at LIV Golf.

For those unaware, the breakaway tour has updated its longstanding format. Effective immediately, all future events on the Saudi PIF-backed golf league will see players battling it out over 72 holes. This extended format of LIV Golf might have satisfied a section of the world but Rory McIlroy was not impressed.

Instead, the five-time major champ called this move "peculiar" and opined how LIV Golf just fell back in line with the rest of the tours. Apart from that, Rory McIlroy also labelled LIV Golf fields as "weak". He said:

"What's hard is you've got the LIV guys, and say potentially they get World Rankings but because their strength of fields are going to be so weak because a lot of the guys have fallen already in the rankings because they have not had ranking points for so long, I don't know if the ranking points are really going to benefit them..."

Take a look at the post on X (previously Twitter) by NUCLR GOLF about McIlroy's comments:

Rory McIlroy's comments came amidst the Scott O'Neil-led breakaway tour's recent developments. Apart from the extended competitive format, LIV Golf has also increased pathways for non-contracted golfers. In their upcoming Promotions Event at Black Diamond Ranch in January 2026, two top-ranked golfers will get a LIV contract for one year. Multiple sources reported that these actions were done to appease the OWGR.

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"100 per cent" - When Rory McIlroy revealed his take on LIV Golf being included in the World Rankings

Before this year's Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, the PGA Tour veteran had a brief session with Sky Sports News where McIlroy shared his honest take on the breakaway tour's OWGR bid. McIlroy stated that LIV Golf should be included in world rankings as long as they met "criteria".

However, Rory McIlroy did not hold back from expressing his frustration (as quoted by Sky Sports):

"One thing that has been frustrating from the start of this is that they don't want to play by the rules that have been in place for so long.

McIlroy also stated that LIV should be included in the global golf rankings if they followed by the rules. The golfer said:

"If they're willing to abide by the rules then 100 per cent they should get world ranking points."

In June 2025, LIV Golf submitted a new application to get included in the world rankings. Despite criticisms regarding their bid LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil expressed confidence in the league's application. According to O'Neil, the breakaway tour sees itself as an integral part of the global golf ecosystem.

Edited by Pravashis Biswas