The game’s top-two players – Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy – are seemingly at odds when it comes to supporting or opposing LIV players returning to the PGA Tour.
Scheffler fronted the media ahead of this week’s BMW Championship in Louisville, Missouri when asked if he would welcome the PGA Tour opening their doors to other LIV stars and in the same manner and opportunity presented earlier this year to Brooks Koepka in the ‘Returning Member’ program.
“I think, like, when we talk about the best players, you know, LIV has a few players that are really good,” said Scheffler.
“I think the depth that we have on our TOUR is bit 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.
GAME’S TOP TWO DIFFER VASTLY …
With Scottie @ScottieScheffle & Rors @McIlroyRory on a different page when it comes to the worth of @livgolf_league stars returning to @PGATOUR
Scottie: “When you look at the higher levels of LIV Golf there’s definitely some players that… pic.twitter.com/ebxdh7VeQ6
— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) August 19, 2026
“So I think going forward there obviously has to be, I think, some sort of penalties. What those are, I’ll let (Brian) Rolapp (PGA Tour CEO) and all those guys figure it out.
“We have great leadership within the TOUR now. But I think having those guys come back and competing with whatever happens with LIV, whether those guys want to leave, I mean, you got to ask them.
“But I think for me being able to compete against the best players in the world there’s certainly some guys on that TOUR that can compete out here and I look forward to the chance to compete with them more often”.
However double Masters winning McIlroy clearly wasn’t too sure what value the LIV Golf stars would bring to the PGA Tour if they came back when he followed Scheffler into the Bellerive Media Centre.
“I think I feel like I’ve kept my position consistent that LIV has never been a good thing for the game,” said McIlroy.
“So, and whatever LIV version 2.0 looks like, if it even happens, you know, they say they’re trying to be more collaborative and all that. But this is the best platform for the top professional golfers in the world.
