Rory McIlroy warns players returning to PGA Tour from LIV face tough road back

The future of the rebel series is in doubt after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund decided to end its support after this season.

Organisers are seeking new investment to enable the circuit to continue but there is uncertainty over whether some of its leading stars would play on.

Jon Rahm is reportedly poised to quit, as Brooks Koepka did last year, while the futures of Bryson DeChambeau, Tyrrell Hatton and Cameron Smith are also unclear.

Further uncertainty developed on Monday when LIV cancelled its season-ending Team Championships in Michigan. This week’s event in Indianapolis will therefore be LIV’s last in its current guise.

Asked if returning players would bring value to the established tours, world number two McIlroy said on Wednesday: “Have they brought value to LIV? I think the PGA Tour’s in a really good spot.

“Eventually, yes, maybe. Eventually they will, if they play the golf.

“I’m not part of these discussions, but I’m pretty sure they’re not going to be welcomed back straight away.

“If they were offered this returning member programme back in February, the one that Brooks took, then yes, maybe, but that has sort of come and gone.

“I think it was said at the time that the deal that they might get going forward, if they do decide to come back, isn’t going to be as good as the one that Brooks got. I would say it’s going to be a tough, tough road back.”

McIlroy, speaking ahead of the BMW Championship in St Louis, has long been vocal critic of LIV.

The Northern Irishman said: “I feel like I’ve kept my position consistent that LIV has never been a good thing for the game.

“Were there things at the start of LIV that the PGA Tour could have done better?

“Sure, but I’ve always felt like this is the best place to play professional golf. And I’m pretty sure if the PGA Tour was handed six billion ( US dollars) it would have done a better job with it.”