Reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy says LIV’s pullout was a risk his rivals took in leaving for $25 million events and rich contracts.
“I think it was always a possibility to happen,” McIlroy said.
“I think everyone knows with everything that’s happening in the Middle East, that had a lot to do (with it), but whenever you have funding tied so much to the geopolitical landscape in the world, that’s a tricky road to navigate.
“Their priorities shifted, and that puts LIV in a pretty precarious spot, but it was always a possibility.”
McIlroy said he knew of the Saudi Public Investment Fund yanking support beyond this year before LIV confirmed it.
“It just feels like the rug was pulled from under their feet and everyone was sort of blindsided by it, but again, that’s the risk those guys chose to take,” said McIlroy.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty in the air right now. From what I read they’ve got some sponsorship revenue for I don’t know how long.
“If they do somehow get a schedule together for next year, it seems like it’s going to look drastically different.”
Article Link: McIlroy on LIV exit: They knew the risk