European Tour CEO: LIV Golf's Goal Was to Destroy Us

Guy Kinnings, chief executive of the DP World Tour, stated that the Saudi-funded LIV Golf league intended to "destroy" the European circuit. Kinnings made these remarks while preparing to reintegrate several prominent golfers who left the established tour to join the breakaway league over the last four years.

The professional golf industry shifted dramatically when LIV emerged, luring top stars from the European and PGA Tours with large financial packages from PIF, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund. The league is now undergoing a Chapter 11 bankruptcy process and operating as a scaled-back entity known as LIV 2.0. It relies on a $300 million credit pledge from BC Partners Credit and has lost Saudi investment.

As LIV struggles financially, most of its leading players are planning to return to the traditional tours. Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, and Sergio Garcia are set to rejoin the DP World Tour, while other former LIV members are eligible for sponsor invites. Kinnings noted that the tour must balance regaining star power against the frustration of members who feel the returning players caused significant disruption before walking back onto the circuit.

In an interview with The Scotsman newspaper, Kinnings said the tour must protect itself from an entity that reportedly spent over $7 billion with the aim of destroying the DP World Tour. He cited conversations with trusted figures in the game who shared this understanding of LIV's strategy. Kinnings argued that this history makes the tour's 2027 membership and invite policy clear, emphasizing a duty to protect current members.

Rory McIlroy supported Kinnings' assessment during the Abu Dhabi Championship on Wednesday. McIlroy said LIV took players and sponsors, turning professional golf into an arms race. He noted that LIV officials told him at Augusta National that they wanted to destroy the European tour. McIlroy called it "ironic" that LIV CEO Scott O'Neil's current motto is "complete, not compete," a phrase suggesting coexistence rather than takeover. McIlroy believed the situation puts the DP World Tour in a strong position.

Kinnings acknowledged there is no perfect solution for welcoming back players, some of whom have criticized the European tour in the past. He said the process must be as fair and merit-based as possible. Kinnings indicated that some invites for returning LIV players will target the tour's smaller tournaments scheduled between February and August, a period when many top players are competing on the PGA Tour.

The European Tour will finalize its membership and invite policies for the 2027 season to reflect these changes. The integration of former LIV players will begin as the tour prepares for its upcoming competitive schedule.