Lee Westwood challenges Rory McIlroy’s controversial comments about the ‘value’ of LIV Golf players…

Lee Westwood has hit back at Rory McIlroy’s suggestion that LIV Golf’s biggest names have failed to provide value to the breakaway league, saying the argument was “typical” of the Masters champion.

In his press conference before the BMW Championship this week, McIlroy questioned whether there is any point in some LIV players returning to the PGA Tour if the league does not survive next season.

At the same time, LIV chief executive Scott O’Neil was addressing media at his league’s final event of 2026 in Indianapolis, discussing his hopes for a reimagined future without the backing of the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund.

But those plans could well hinge on whether his star players commit to his vision or explore pathways back to the PGA Tour. And McIlroy made clear that he was in no hurry to reunite with some LIV faces.

“I’d argue, have they brought value to LIV?” McIlroy said.

McIlroy added that it will be a “tough road back” when asked whether the PGA Tour would benefit specifically from the return of Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm ahead of future media rights negotiations.

Westwood, meanwhile, has already made his own move back to the traditional establishment after accepting an invite to play in the DP World Tour’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland. The former World No.1 is eligible to play on his former domain for his first start in over three years after deciding to settle fines incurred for breaking their conflicting tournament regulations.

“I really don’t care what people think to be honest,” he said when asked about receiving criticism for his upcoming October return. “I think it illustrates that people like LIV players playing in their events. Promoters and sponsors, no matter which tour they’re on, they bring quality to tournaments.

“I heard Rory’s comments yesterday, I thought Scottie [Scheffler] answered the question well and Rory’s answer was typical of Rory. It wasn’t well thought out. There’s a lot of player on this tour bringing value to the tournaments and the Alfred Dunhill is the point in question. Johann Rupert [the tournament sponsor] has something like 26, 27 invites and 25 people from LIV have got invites. That shows LIV players do bring value to tournaments.”

Scheffler, meanwhile, said: “When you look at higher levels of LIV Golf there are definitely players that would provide a value to the tour and guys that I love competing against as well.”

“Typical of Rory. It wasn’t well thought out.” 👀

Lee Westwood responds after Rory McIlroy questioned the value LIV Golf players have brought to the tour. pic.twitter.com/sR7kyQMvr5

— TNT Sports (@tntsports) August 21, 2026

Along with a slew of former Ryder Cup players, Westwood had resigned his DP World Tour card in 2023 after a sports arbitration panel ratified the sanctions imposed by Wentworth HQ for members competing in LIV events without releases. But while he has now recovered his membership to give him “options”, Westwood does still not agree with the fines that he once vowed never to pay.

“I’ve won that tournament and I’ve supported it,” he said of the Dunhill Links. “I played practically every one until I was forced to give up my membership on the European Tour because of the ridiculous fines. I’ve always got on with Johann.

“I’ve gone down and played his tournament at Leopard Creek which is a fabulous tournament. He’s a great supporter of golf and he’s stuck by his friends and people who have supported him over the years.”