As one of the biggest names in golf, Rory McIlroy’s perspective always carries weight. So it was interesting to hear him weigh in on Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed’s decisions to leave LIV Golf.
Over the years, McIlroy has been one of LIV Golf’s most vocal critics.
The 36-year-old remained committed to the PGA Tour while several high-profile players made the switch to LIV between 2022 and 2023.
Both Koepka and Reed were part of that group, but after three-and-a-half years with the Saudi-backed organisation, they’ve decided their futures belong back on the PGA Tour.
Reed surprised many when he left LIV two weeks ago, explaining that his contract with the PIF-backed league had ended.
That news followed Koepka’s decision a month earlier to rejoin the PGA Tour.
Koepka has already made his return, while Reed is expected to be reinstated in August once he completes his eligibility process. While plenty of fans are eager to see them back in action, there are questions about what their returns mean for the future direction of professional golf.
Rory McIlroy weighs in on whether Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed will make the PGA Tour stronger
McIlroy is known for speaking his mind about the state of professional golf, and he didn’t hold back when asked about Koepka and Reed.
Speaking ahead of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, McIlroy shared his thoughts on what their return means for the Tour.
“It certainly I think swung the pendulum a little more in the PGA TOUR’s favor,” McIlroy said.
He went on to add: “The sentiment has definitely changed from, say, 18 months ago. You’re going to see guys are going to get to the end of their contracts and whether they’re going to get the money that they were paid the first time around remains to be seen.
“But like I’ve said before, I think everything that’s happened over the last few years, it forced the Tour to think about things differently. Create these Signature Events, but then rethink the entire schedule and what’s going to happen in 2027 and beyond.
“I think the guys over there are maybe seeing that and it might entice them a little bit more. So yeah, I think Brooks coming back, one of the best players of our generation, five-time major champion, that’s a big deal.”
Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed set for tense PGA Tour reunion
McIlroy may believe Reed’s return will be good for the PGA Tour, but their relationship hasn’t exactly been smooth.
The pair had a well-documented falling out in 2023, which played out publicly in Dubai. Reed explained his side of what happened during an incident on the driving range.
“Because of the relationship I’ve had with Rory – let’s be honest, we’ve had some great battles at Augusta and other tournaments and our friendship has been pretty good up until obviously joining LIV – I walked over there and wished Harry (Diamond) Happy New Year and then Rory because it is the first time I have seen them,” he said.
“Harry shook my hand and Rory just looked down there and was messing with his Trackman and kind of decided to ignore us.
“We all know where it came from, being part of LIV. Since my tees are Team Aces LIV tees I flicked him one. It was kind of a funny shot back. Funny how a small little flick has turned into basically me stabbing him and throwing a tee at him.
“He saw me and he decided not to react. But it is one of those things. If you’re going to act like an immature little child then you might as well be treated like one.”
This wasn’t long after McIlroy had been served legal papers on Christmas Eve by Reed’s lawyer – something he didn’t take lightly at all.
The Northern Irishman responded: “Patrick came up to say hello and I didn’t really want him to.”
“I was subpoenaed by his lawyer on Christmas Eve. So of course, trying to have a nice time with my family and someone shows up on your doorstep and delivers that, you’re not going to take that well.
This will no doubt make things interesting when they see each other later this year in what will surely be must-watch television if paired together again.
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