# PGA Tour and LIV Golf professional tensions

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/pga-tour-and-liv-golf-professional-tensions
> Updated: 2026-09-17T12:19:30.000Z. Sources: 40. Developments: 2.

Rory McIlroy shared the opening round lead at the BMW Championship at Bellerive Country Club with a bogey-free 6-under 64. 

During media availability, McIlroy addressed the tension between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. He suggested that LIV stars face a “tough, tough road back” to the PGA Tour and criticized the role of certain players in the initial exodus, stating frustrations could have been handled through conversation rather than “blowing the entire professional game up.” His remarks prompted a rebuttal from Lee Westwood, who described the assessment as “typical” and defended the value LIV players bring to professional tournaments.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-17: Ryan Gerard leads BMW PGA Championship after second round

Ryan Gerard leads the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth by two strokes after a bogey-free 65. Patrick Reed withdrew due to injury, while Jon Rahm sits at the bottom of the leaderboard.

21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/aaron-rai-leads-opening-round-of-bmw-pga-championship-at-wentworth

### 2026-08-19: Rory McIlroy shares BMW Championship lead amid LIV Golf debate

Rory McIlroy shares the opening-round lead at the BMW Championship with a 64 and addressed the future of LIV Golf players.

23 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pga-tour-stars-debate-potential-return-of-liv-golf-players

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Cite as: PGA Tour and LIV Golf professional tensions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/pga-tour-and-liv-golf-professional-tensions