Rory McIlroy Says Current PGA Tour-LIV Golf Situation is Not Sustainable

McIroy has been more open to a reunification in recent months.

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The schism in men's golf between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf is not sustainable and will not serve to benefit anyone on either side, Rory McIlroy told Golf Monthly on Tuesday. The four-time major champion, once one of the more outspoken players on Tour about all things LIV, has softended his tone in recent months as he seeks some sort of unification.

"There needs to be a correction. I think what's happening is not sustainable right now, so something needs to happen to try to bring it all back together so we can all move forward so we don't have this division that's sort of ongoing," McIlroy said.

"They keep going down those different paths and I just don't see how that benefits anyone in the long run. ... I think [it's] a shame for the overall game of golf."

Tensions have cooled a bit between the two sides since last June's shock announcement and there has been movement toward reconciliation.

Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and some board members met with the PIF last month in the Bahamas for talks Monahan deemed "constructive." McIlroy stepped down from from the PGA Tour policy board last November.

"We're probably still quite a long ways from it, but I would hope that in the future that we can get there, unify the game and get the best players back together again," he said.

"It sucks as a competitor that I only get to see and compete against some of those guys four times a year, because ultimately they do have some of the best players in the world that are playing some really good golf.

"To not see the very best players in the world together more often I think is a shame for the overall game of golf and for fans that want to watch the pro game around the world.

McIroy and the other best players in the world will be together at Augusta next weekend, hoping to provide as much drama as last year's event. Jon Rahm, the reigning champion, has since left for LIV.

Kyle Koster is an editor at The Big Lead.