McIlroy backs Kinnings allegations over LIV Golf as league seeks relaunch

Rory McIlroy has backed DP World Tour chief executive Guy Kinnings' allegation that LIV Golf sought to undermine the European circuit, saying people connected to the breakaway league expressed that ambition at this year's Masters. BBC Sport and Sky Sports reported the comments from McIlroy's media appearance at the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship on Wednesday.

Kinnings had raised the allegation in an interview with The Scotsman. McIlroy said he agreed with the tour executive and accused LIV of taking players and sponsors while driving an expensive competition between professional circuits. Those assertions remain attributed to Kinnings and McIlroy; Sky Sports said it had approached LIV Golf for comment on the claims.

The remarks come as LIV attempts to reorganise following the withdrawal of backing from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. BBC Sport reported that the league had filed for bankruptcy protection and that possible financing of $300 million from BC Partners Credit could support a new version of the competition. The proposed funding does not itself establish what the relaunched circuit will ultimately look like.

Several leading players have already decided against continuing with the league. Sky Sports reported that Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton and Sergio Garcia had confirmed they would not re-sign. Rahm said on Tuesday that he was unwilling to follow the direction being taken by LIV's new iteration. His explanation preceded McIlroy's latest comments on the disruption caused by the rival competition.

McIlroy argued that men's professional golf now needs a more sustainable financial model. He said the competition between tours had increased players' bargaining power but questioned whether that development benefited the sport over the longer term. His comments framed the reduction in spending competition as a potential opportunity to stabilise the tours, rather than simply a loss of leverage for players.

The six-time major champion is also pursuing an eighth Race to Dubai title, which would match Colin Montgomerie's record, BBC Sport reported. He enters the penultimate event third behind Eugenio Chacarra and Patrick Reed. McIlroy trails Chacarra by 999.03 points, with 1,500 available this week and another 2,000 at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.