Lee Westwood said Rory McIlroy’s comments questioning the value LIV Golf players would bring to the PGA Tour were “typical of Rory” and not well thought out.
Speaking to TNT Sports during LIV Golf Indianapolis, Westwood responded to comments McIlroy made ahead of the BMW Championship. “I heard Rory’s comments yesterday. I thought Scottie answered the question well, and Rory’s answer was just typical of Rory, really. It wasn’t well thought out,” Westwood said. “There’s a lot of players on this tour who bring value to tournaments.”
Westwood also addressed criticism he has received over his sponsor’s invitation to October’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. “I really don’t care what people think, to be perfectly honest,” Westwood said. “I think it illustrates the fact that people like LIV players playing in their events. Promoters and sponsors, no matter which tour they’re on, they bring quality to tournaments.”
McIlroy was asked whether LIV golfers would add value to the PGA Tour if they returned. “I mean, I would argue, have they brought value to LIV? I think the PGA Tour’s in a really good spot,” McIlroy said.
McIlroy added that his position on LIV Golf has remained consistent. “I’ve kept my position consistent that LIV has never been a good thing for the game,” he said. “Whatever [LIV] 2.0 looks like, if it even happens, this is the best platform for the top professional golfers in the world.”
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Scheffler, the world No. 1, offered a different view when asked the same question. “When we talk about the best players, LIV has a few players that are really good,” Scheffler said. “I think the depth that we have on our tour is unmatched, but I think when you look at the higher levels of LIV Golf there’s definitely some players that would provide a lot of value to the tour, and guys that I love competing against as well.”
Scheffler said any returning LIV players should face penalties, though he did not specify what those penalties should look like.
McIlroy’s comments came as LIV Golf navigates its final event of the 2026 season without Saudi Public Investment Fund backing. LIV CEO Scott O’Neil has said the league has an agreement with a lead investor to continue beyond this season. Jon Rahm is expected to leave the league following the season.
