Rory McIlroy called out by LIV golfer and former Ryder Cup teammate

Rory McIlroy. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Rory McIlroy called out by LIV golfer and former Ryder Cup teammate

By Jack Dougherty | Last updated Aug 22, 2026 9:06 AM ET

With LIV Golf's future in limbo, Rory McIlroy is starting to take victory laps around the rival league's eventual grave. Evidently, the Northern Irishman's recent comments didn't sit well with his old friend and five-time Ryder Cup teammate.

When asked this week about the value LIV golfers would bring back to the PGA Tour, McIlroy said, "I'd argue, have they brought value to LIV? You know? I think the PGA Tour is in a really good spot."

Lee Westwood, who competed alongside McIlroy on Team Europe for over a decade before defecting to LIV Golf in 2022, took umbrage at that remark.

"I really don't care what people think, to be perfectly honest," Westwood told TNT during its coverage of LIV Golf Indianapolis, per Yahoo Sports. "I heard Rory's comments yesterday. I thought Scottie [Scheffler] answered the question well, and Rory's answer was just typical of him. It wasn't well thought out. There are a lot of players on this tour who bring value to tournaments."

McIlroy and Westwood used to be good friends, but that doesn't appear to be the case anymore.

Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy were both asked about LIV players returning to the PGA Tour and their opinions are… different.

Rory McIlroy was also asked if he feels any satisfaction after strongly defending the PGA Tour against LIV. pic.twitter.com/DTiVwQnRJh
— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) August 19, 2026

Rory McIlroy has spoken out against LIV Golf

Ever since LIV Golf emerged in 2022, McIlroy has been the most vocal PGA Tour player to speak out against the Saudi-backed league. Now that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund has announced it will no longer finance LIV Golf past 2026, McIlroy's criticisms seem to be warranted.

LIV Golf has already canceled its 2026 team championship in Michigan, but CEO Scott O'Neil is still optimistic about securing funding for 2027 and beyond. According to ESPN, LIV players met with O'Neil and a proposed new investor this week ahead of LIV Golf Indianapolis. Still, there's no guarantee that the league will return in 2027.

If LIV Golf fizzles out, many of its players will seek a return to the PGA Tour. Scheffler would open them back with open arms, but McIlroy believes the PGA Tour will be just fine without them. In his mind, those players made their choices, and now they have to live with them.

Jack Dougherty

Jack Dougherty has been writing professionally since 2015, contributing to publications such as GoPSUSports. com, Centre Daily Times, Associated Press, and Sportscasting. com

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