As LIV Golf ‘experiment’ ends, Justin Rose ready to welcome defectors back
With LIV Golf facing bankruptcy, Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy are signaling a readiness to welcome returning players as the professional game looks toward reunification.
- Justin Rose is ready for the pro golf world to move past the LIV Golf era.
- When the Saudi-backed league burst onto the scene in 2022, the former major champion and World No.
- While peers like Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, and Sergio Garcia departed, Rose rejected the offers, choosing to rebuild his form on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.
- Four-plus years after its emergence, LIV is currently in bankruptcy court, attempting to reinvent itself as "LIV 2.0" without its original level of funding.
Justin Rose is ready for the pro golf world to move past the LIV Golf era. When the Saudi-backed league burst onto the scene in 2022, the former major champion and World No. 1 was a prime target for recruitment. While peers like Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, and Sergio Garcia departed, Rose rejected the offers, choosing to rebuild his form on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour. "My career goals have always only been attainable by staying on the European Tour and the PGA Tour," Rose said after his recent victory at the Farmers Insurance Open, emphasizing that his motivation remains competing against the world's best.
Four-plus years after its emergence, LIV is currently in bankruptcy court, attempting to reinvent itself as "LIV 2.0" without its original level of funding. Several marquee players, most notably Jon Rahm, have departed the league, targeting a return to the DP World Tour in 2027 and eventually the PGA Tour. Speaking in New Delhi, Rose expressed no animosity toward those returning: "It’s been a whirlwind four or five years. No hard feelings from my point of view. Everyone is welcome back. It’s great for golf for players to be able to play against the best players in the world." He noted that the disruption forced the established tours to improve, ultimately benefiting the entire ecosystem.
Rory McIlroy, who was a vocal critic of the league, now shares a similar perspective on reconciliation. At the Bloomberg New Economy Forum, McIlroy stated, "LIV had probably like half of a good idea that was executed pretty poorly." While acknowledging the initial friction, McIlroy believes the time for conflict has passed. "A rising tide lifts all boats," McIlroy said regarding the potential return of defectors. "I think having some of these players back is beneficial for the business of the tours." PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp has clarified that the "Returning Member Program" is no longer available, and the tour will require evidence that players are free from LIV contractual obligations before discussions on a return can take place.
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