Rory McIlroy LIV Golf switch rumours slammed as 'fake news' and 'complete nonsense'

Reports from a London business newspaper claiming Rory McIlroy is on the verge of a shock $850m move to LIV Golf have been labelled 'complete nonsense' with his manager also coming out today to rubbish the 'fake news'.

The world number two has previously been a staunch critic of the Saudi-backed tour that was established in 2021. Last July, McIlroy stated: “If LIV Golf was the last place on Earth to play golf, I would retire. That’s how I feel about it."

But London financial paper City A.M. is claiming that the Holywood man is set for a U-turn after being offered $850m to join LIV Golf, plus two per cent equity in the competition.

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This report comes despite McIlroy outlining his plan, after a disappointing performance at the Masters, to play eight events on the PGA Tour in the next 10 weeks.

The 34-year-old said: "The next two weeks I'm playing Hilton Head, I'm playing New Orleans. I'll take a week off, playing Quail Hollow, play the PGA, take another week off, then play another four in a row.”

Reports suggesting McIlroy will make the switch to LIV have been shared now worldwide but sources close to McIlroy are understood to be baffled by the story.

“Fake news. Zero truth,” McIlroy’s manager Sean O’Flaherty said in an email today, according to the Irish Independent.

Sky Sports golf correspondent Jamie Weir stated on social media: "I’m told this story is complete nonsense."

McIlroy acted as the Player Director on the PGA Tour's Policy Board for two years and was a leading critic of LIV Golf during this time.

But last November he decided to step away from the role to concentrate on his golf game.

The four-time major champion's stance on LIV Golf has softened in recent months and admitted regrets about past criticisms.

In January, he said: “I was maybe a little judgmental of the guys who went to LIV Golf at the start. I think it was a bit of a mistake on my part because I now realize that not everyone is in my position or in Tiger Woods’ position.

“I’ve gone through the last two years with this altruistic approach where I’ve looked at the world the way I’ve wanted to see it. Ultimately, you can say what you want and do what you want, but at the end of the day, you’re not going to be able to change people’s minds. You’re never going to make them decide based on what you say.”

A McIlroy move to LIV Golf would be a devastating blow to the PGA Tour after already losing stars such as Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka and Cameron Smith to the Saudi-backed enterprise.

McIlroy is set to play the RBC Heritage event on the PGA Tour this week in a stellar field that includes Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and breakout star Ludvig Aberg, who finished runner-up to Scheffler at Augusta National.

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