Sky Sports Golf Analyst Rich Beem believes that Rory McIlroy could still join LIV Tour
In 2022 a breakaway professional golf tour was created called LIV Golf. LIV Golf has 14 tournaments in 2024 and the only time you will see some of their stars will be The Open Championship, US Open, PGA Championship and US Masters. Jon Rahm is LIV Golf’s highest paid player as he joined for $500 million in 2023. “Rory is exempt for three out of the four for quite some time and I wouldn’t blame him for going”, said Beem.
In Bahamas there was a recent meeting between PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund regarding merger. “I think there’s going to be a resolution and the game of golf needs it”, said Beem. Players Championship celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024 but Sawgrass wasn’t the same without LIV stars Rahm, Cameron Smith and Brooks Koepka. “I think having everyone back together is going to be much better for the game”, said Sky Sports Golf Analyst.
McIlroy is ranked world number two and a long way behind number one Scottie Scheffler due to the American winning his second Arnold Palmer Invitational and Players Championship. “I think from a Rory standpoint, I think he likes to be challenged”, said Beem. McIlroy started 2024 with a win in Dubai but has struggled in America as his best finish on the PGA Tour was a tied 19th at Sawgrass. “Inside 125 yards McIlroy is making too many mistakes and I think that is the only thing that is missing right now”, said 2002 PGA Championship winner. McIlroy will have another opportunity at Augusta in 2024 to become the sixth golfer to win all four majors.
It will be difficult for McIlroy to get the better of Scheffler as he has shot 21 rounds this year in the 60s. “Scheffler is so good at every facid of the game especially the mental part of it”, said Beem. It’s very hard to look past Scheffler for Augusta as he has won there before and has won eight times in two years from February to April. “I think Scheffler loves to compete, he loves to win and his presence on the leaderboard spooks some of the players”, said Sky Sports Golf Analyst. The great thing about Scheffler is that he still managed to shoot under par rounds with a neck injury at Sawgrass.
Tiger Woods will be participating in 2024 Masters at Augusta. The 2025 Ryder Cup will take place at Bethpage Black and USA still haven’t named their captain. Europe haven’t won a Ryder Cup in America since 2012 at Medinah. JP McManus has done a lot of work with Adare Manor in preparation for the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland. “It wouldn’t surprise me to see Woods captain back to back Ryder Cups”, said Beem.