Rory McIlroy predicts mass player exodus after LIV files for bankruptcy protection

[p]The filing at a New Jersey court indicates [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/livio-federico/WdfPuKnK/"]LIV[/a], which abruptly lost its deep-pocketed Saudi investors earlier this year, intends to restructure and return in a new form.[/p][p]But documents show LIV, launched in 2022, owes between $500 million and $1 billion in estimated liabilities to at least 1,000 creditors, including star players such as [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/dechambeau-bryson/vZG7Cn7s/"]Bryson DeChambeau[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/rahm-jon/h41jCwka/"]Jon Rahm[/a].[/p][p]Widespread reports have linked several stars with potential returns to the US PGA Tour and other series, though the PGA said it currently has no plans to offer LIV players a pathway back.[/p][p][b]"I am not in their shoes, but LIV at the start looked a lot more attractive than what LIV 2.0 might be from a financial standpoint," [/b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mcilroy-rory/djwanksN/"]McIlroy[/a] told reporters on Wednesday ahead of his Irish Open defence at Doonbeg.[/p][embed guid="0de3c8b1-88e5-4106-82f7-5720e9f0e7cb" url="https://x.com/GOLF_com/status/2097433604842512464" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]"I am not trying to predict the future, but I would predict that you will see some guys leave."[/b][/p][p]He added: [b]"I think that means other tours have decisions to make, and obviously there's a lot of players on LIV that can strengthen golf tournaments and make them more competitive, so I would see that as a good thing for the DP World Tour (European Tour)."[/b][/p][p]The six-time major champion added:[b] "Overall, I think with the way things are working out, it is a very good thing for the golf ecosystem. I think it only makes these tournaments stronger with more competitive players in them."[/b][/p][p]The LIV rebel tour has bitterly divided the world of golf, recruiting a string of top players with the lure of huge rewards.[/p][p]Tour officials have previously pledged that a "2.0" version of the tour will re-emerge under new investors next season, with a shorter schedule and reduced prize money.[/p][p]Further details emerged on Tuesday. LIV intends to host tournaments across five continents, in locations including Australia, South Africa, Mexico, England, Hong Kong and the United States.[/p][p]Tuesday's filing confirmed LIV has partnered for the restructuring effort with British investment group BC Partners -- long rumoured to be the tour's mystery new "lead investor".[/p][p]Defending champion McIlroy heads a strong field at the Irish Open, which is being played at Donald Trump's Doonbeg golf course in County Clare, also including major winners Rahm and Shane Lowry.[/p][p]The US president is expected to attend the tournament during his upcoming visit to Ireland, where he is set to meet Irish President [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/park-catherine/ltDUfnfC/"]Catherine Connolly[/a] and prime minister [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/martinoli-valeria/I5RwAoSq/"]Micheal Martin[/a].[/p]