Rory McIlroy backs claims that LIV Golf wanted to destroy European Tour

World number two Rory McIlroy has backed explosive claims that LIV Golf spent over $7 billion with a clear ambition to dismantle the historic European circuit before filing for bankruptcy protection. Speaking on Wednesday at Yas Links ahead of the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship, the six-time major winner revealed that figures connected to the Saudi-backed breakaway league were openly boasting about their intentions at Augusta National during The Masters earlier this year.

The remarks validate an interview given by DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings to The Scotsman newspaper, in which Kinnings stated he heard from trusted contacts of over 30 years that LIV's primary target was the total eradication of the DP World Tour. McIlroy told reporters, I agree with everything that Guy said. They took players; they took sponsors; they turned professional golf into an arms race. They were going around Augusta saying they wanted to destroy The European Tour.

Who is heading back to the DP World Tour and why?

The professional landscape has shifted dramatically following the withdrawal of financial backing from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), which had previously invested more than $5bn (£3.8bn). Without sovereign wealth funding, LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month. While a potential $300 million (£224m) rescue package from BC Partners Credit could pave the way for a scaled-down version dubbed LIV 2.0 for 2027, top-tier competitors have already begun abandoning ship.

Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, and Sergio Garcia are among the defectors returning to the European circuit, while others prepare to rely on sponsor invites. Kinnings is now charged with balancing the integration of returning stars against lingering resentment from loyal members who feel aggrieved by the initial disruption. McIlroy noted the irony of LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil's motto is now "complete, not compete" – a reference to the breakaway league finding a place in golf's ecosystem rather than trying to take over.

What happens to the financial arms race in professional golf?

McIlroy argued that the past four years created an artificial financial bubble that ultimately proved unsustainable for the sport. We'll look back on it as a very strange time, McIlroy said, pointing out that unprecedented leverage given to players undermined the long-term health of traditional circuits. He added that the breakaway league left the Asian Tour high and dry after utilizing the International Series before that organization returned to partner with the PGA Tour and the European Tour.

With LIV 2.0 operating on a reduced scale and shedding marquee names, McIlroy believes men's golf is entering a necessary period of stabilization. They created a false economy within men's professional golf, and I think that there is going to be a bit of a reset here just for things to be a little bit more sustainable, he said. If you want sustainable tours, and we want these tours around in 50 years' time, there has to be sustainable business practises in place.

How does this affect the Race to Dubai standings?

Away from the political fallout, McIlroy is laser-focused on the penultimate event of the season in Abu Dhabi as he chases his eighth Race to Dubai title, a feat that would tie him with Colin Montgomerie for the most all-time. The Northern Irishman sits third in the standings behind leader Eugenio Chacarra of Spain and American Patrick Reed.

McIlroy trails Chacarra by 999.03 points heading into the action at Yas Links GC. However, with 1,500 points available this week and another 2,000 points on offer next week at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, the door remains wide open.

• Eugenio Chacarra leads the Race to Dubai standings.
• Rory McIlroy trails the leader by 999.03 points.
• A total of 1,500 points are on offer at the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship.
• The season concludes next week with 2,000 points available at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

I'm excited to be here, excited to get going and excited to at least be in the conversation of trying to win another Race to Dubai, McIlroy said. I know I'm going to have to have a [good] week this week to do that. Hopefully I can and make things interesting going into next week.

Sky Sports Golf provides live coverage of the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship beginning on Thursday at 7 am. Fans wishing to follow the battle for the Harry Vardon Trophy can tune in via broadcast or streaming platforms as McIlroy attempts to bridge the points gap before the tour moves on to Dubai.

Whether the returning LIV defectors will face stricter membership sanctions beyond 2027 remains the central question as Kinnings and the DP World Tour committee finalize their eligibility policies for the future.