“Rory McIlroy will be the next jumper to LIV”: Fans react as PGA Tour suddenly starts supporting Saudi golf ‘cross-pollination’

Since the inception of the LIV Golf League in 2022, the world of professional golf has been split. Several players on the PGA Tour and the Saudi based golf league have voiced their opinions regarding the ongoing battles.

PGA Tour star, Rory McIlroy has had quite a strong stance on the new league in light of the ongoing negotiations between the Tour and LIV Golf's primary financier, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, McIlroy hoped that " there is some cross-pollenation where players can start to play on both [tours]". Following his statement, fans have come up with various opinions of their own.

Reacting to the statement, X user @PocciaThomas wrote,

" Rory will be the next jumper to LIV… his game has gone downhill and he needs cash! "

Another fan claimed that such moves will not be appreciated by the incumbent LIV Golf League players:

" Those LIV boys ain't gonna like it when the Jake Knapps and Nick Dunlaps of the world start poaching their $4 MM prizes during the "cross-pollination". "

X user @_Solomonisland_ went on to declare such a 'cross-pollination' plan was exactly the original agenda of LIV Golf.

" Cross-pollenation was LIVs original plan…we could have the best English players in/out of Majestiks, Australians in/out of RIPPER, Spanish in/out of fireballs, Americans in/out of 4aces, Smash, goats etc..a global tour with global teams!! "

Here are a few other fans' reactions to Rory McIlroy's recent comments:

" Liv has added nothing, absolutely nothing to the game of golf. It has taken away some good players. It has basically no viewers, no spectators, team concept a complete failure. If it weren't for unlimited money it wouldn't have lasted more than a year," said an X user.

X user @Pulpfiction3 said, " So PGA players play 54 holes when they play LIV event and LIV players play 72 holes when they play PGAT tournament? "

" I’m not convinced that this is what he ‘wants’ to happen (given his prior stance) but more what he foresees happening. It’s a pragmatist view. I think many people see golf (and other sports) as now trapped by the PIF $ with no other way out but to accept it isn’t going away," said an X user.

---

Rory McIlroy rumored to Join LIV Golf

Earlier in April 2024, there were reports that Rory McIlroy would join the LIV Golf League for a whopping $850 million. However, a few weeks later, his agent, Sean O'Flaherty, denied the allegations.

As per two of their most trustworthy sources, the deal was offered for $850 million for a two percent equity stake in the LIV Golf League, according to the first report published by CityAM.

" Fake news. Zero truth," O'Flaherty declared.