Brandel Chamblee Offers Up Theory On Where The Rory McIlroy To LIV Golf Rumors Started

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Shortly after the conclusion of the 2024 Masters, a report emerged linking Rory McIlroy to a move to LIV Golf for a figure around $850 million. It felt random for a few different reasons, but especially given the fact that McIlroy has been among the most outspoken critics of the Saudi-backed circuit since its inception in 2022.

The fact that the report originally appeared in a well-read London business publication called City AM, there was reason to believe, at least for a split second, that there could be some truth behind it.

Less than 24 hours after the report, however, both McIlroy's manager and the four-time major winner himself completely shut down the report. 

"It's never even been a conversation for us," McIlroy later continued. "It's one of those things, it's unfortunate that we have to deal with it and this is the state that our game is in, but I'm here today playing this PGA Tour event next week and I will play the PGA Tour for the rest of my career."

Brandel Chamblee Blames LIV Golf

McIlroy explained that he had no idea how the report and rumor came to be, but Golf Channel's Brandel Chamblee has a theory as to where it originated, and it's one that many golf fans likely subscribe to.

Chamblee believes the report was leaked, or essentially planted, by the Saudis and LIV Golf after the 13 LIV players at Augusta National didn't manage to create too much buzz about the breakaway circuit during the Masters.

Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Smith, and Tyrrell Hatton - all LIV golfers - did finish inside the Top 10 at the Masters, but the spotlight nor the conversation ever centered around LIV Golf. It was a welcomed reality for golf fans who simply wanted to consume major championship golf and not discuss money or equity stakes, but not necessarily a picture-perfect scenario for the Saudi-funded league.

In some instances regarding players potentially bolting for LIV, when there was smoke it was often followed by fire. But for McIlroy's sake, that doesn't appear to be the case, only adding validity to Chamblee's claim that the story was never a real story to begin with.

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Mark covers all sports at OutKick while keeping a close eye on the world of professional golf. He graduated from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga before earning his master's degree in journalism from the University of Tennessee. He somehow survived living in Knoxville despite ‘Rocky Top’ being his least favorite song ever written. Before joining OutKick, he wrote for various outlets including SB Nation, The Spun, and BroBible. Mark was also a writer for the Chicago Cubs Double-A affiliate in 2016 when the team won the World Series. He's still waiting for his championship ring to arrive. Follow him on Twitter @itismarkharris.