Rory McIlroy has said that people connected with LIV Golf expressed an ambition to “destroy the European Tour” at the 2026 Masters, only months before the Saudi-backed league filed for bankruptcy protection.
The six-time major winner made the claim while discussing LIV’s relationship with the European Tour. His comments refer to statements allegedly made by individuals associated with the breakaway circuit during the Masters in 2026.
According to McIlroy, the remarks indicated that LIV’s objective was not simply to establish a rival competition, but to undermine the European Tour. The comments came before LIV entered bankruptcy protection several months later.
The European Tour and LIV Golf have been at the centre of divisions in professional golf since the launch of the breakaway league. McIlroy has been a prominent critic of LIV and has also played a significant role in discussions about the future structure of elite men’s golf.
The material supplied does not include a response from LIV Golf or further details about who made the alleged remarks. It also does not provide information on the circumstances of LIV’s bankruptcy filing beyond confirming that it took place months after the 2026 Masters.
