Rory McIlroy - 'LIV Golf filing for bankruptcy protection will mark end for some guys'

The step, which had been expected, was announced on Tuesday night, with LIV revealing that it had found a new investor in BC partners following the decision earlier this year by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) to withdraw its backing.

By filing a Chapter 11 petition, LIV Golf bosses intend to “preserve the company’s business as a going concern”, with the reorganised company expected to be majority-owned by LIV players.

“This process gives us the structure and time to pursue a landmark transaction and begin the next chapter of LIV Golf - we will not rest until we deliver on LIV Golf’s full potential,” said CEO Scott O’Neil.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Majesticks co-captain Westwood said: “I enjoy playing on LIV. It’s a breath of fresh air and, yes, we’re being kept informed on LIV 2.0, the new partner coming in. And I guess they’re just working on that at the moment and that’s all that I know really.

‘It’s bad for a lot of people’

“I think everybody understands that there were mistakes made with the first one. The new partner is coming in to make it a sustainable tour and a sustainable operation so that’s very good but, obviously, whenever bankruptcy is mentioned, that’s never a good idea. It’s bad for a lot of people. But my plan is to have a good look at LIV 2.0 and make a decision after that .”

On Tuesday, Jon Rahm, LIV Golf’s record signing after being lured away from the PGA Tour for a reported £450 million, said he was willing to honour his contract with LIV 1.0 but made no mention of a proposed 2.0 model. It now seems as though Rahm and others could be free to leave.

“I'm not in their shoes but LIV at the start looked a lot more attractive than what LIV 2.0 might be from a financial standpoint,” observed McIlroy as he was asked about the impact it might have ahead of defending his Amgen Irish Open title at Donald Trump-owned Doonbeg this week.

“I'm not trying to predict the future but I would predict that you'll see some guys leave, as they are free to now as, I guess, contracts have been breached by them filing for bankruptcy.”

Having also been asked how he rated the health and strength of the DP World Tour, McIlroy, who is playing with Bob MacIntyre in the opening two rounds, added: “I think that means other tours have decisions to make. And obviously there's a lot of players on LIV that can strengthen golf tournaments and make them more competitive. So I would see that as a good thing for the DP World Tour.

“And I think the health of the DP World Tour is in a really good spot. They have a wonderful alliance with the PGA Tour. I think that alliance is only going to get stronger, especially with the PGA Tour committing to working with the DP World Tour for some of these international events at this time of the year going forward.

“Overall, you know, I think with the way things are working out, it's a very good thing for the golf ecosystem. I think it only makes these tournaments stronger with more competitive players in them.”