Rory McIlroy Says PGA Tour, LIV Rivalry 'Not Sustainable' for Golf: 'It's a Shame'

Rory McIlroy called on the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to "unify" the sport Tuesday, saying the split between the two leagues has been bad for golf.

"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 told reporters.

"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."

It's not hard to see McIlroy's point. While LIV Golf has certainly been a financial boon for players—many of whom took nine-figure deals to leave the PGA Tour—it's hard to say the split has been better for the sport.

Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Jon Rahm, Bubba Watson and Patrick Reed have already defected. Beyond McIlroy and Tiger Woods, those names would comprise a vast majority of the most famous players to casual fans.

Despite its robust financial backing, LIV Golf has not garnered significant television ratings and lacks a storied history to draw in fans. LIV is also not recognized by the Official World Golf Rankings, meaning several notable players will have trouble qualifying for major championships.

So, in essence, golf has one league filled with stars playing for checks to no audience and another league lacking in household names trying to keep fan interest despite depleted fields.

LIV Golf and the PGA Tour have been working on the framework of a merger since last year, but it does not appear the sides are close to a resolution. McIlroy, who was once a vocal opponent of LIV and golfers who defected from the PGA Tour, has since changed his stance.

"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," McIlroy said.