(Photo credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images)

Rory McIlroy says he's open to welcoming competitors who left to join LIV Golf back to the PGA Tour ranks.

It's a notable change in public opinion for the five-time major champion, who has been among the most open critics of LIV and its divisive impact on golf.

'I think they've already paid their consequence. They've made the money but they've paid their consequence in terms of the reputation and some of the things they've lost by going over there,' McIlroy said in an appearance on 'The Overlap' podcast. 'If it made the overall tour stronger to have Bryson DeChambeau back and whoever else, I would be okay with it.

'But it's not just me, and I recognize that not everyone is in my position. It would be up to the collective group of PGA Tour members to make that decision.'

In the wake of departures from some of its top golfers who accepted significant paydays to join LIV, the PGA instituted a rule that competitors will not be eligible to compete in its events until a full year has passed since their final LIV event.

Laurie Canter, who last competed on the LIV Tour in 2024, was to become the first LIV competitor to return to the PGA Tour this upcoming season after earning his tour card. Instead, he decided to rejoin LIV, signing with Majesticks for the 2026 season.

Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka could become the first competitor who tests the PGA's return policy. Koepka signed a four-year deal with LIV reportedly worth upwards of $100 million, but the league announced Dec. 23 that he would be leaving the league ahead of the fourth year on his deal because he will be 'prioritizing the needs of his family.'

It remains to be seen, however, if Koepka will attempt to return to the PGA Tour before the one-year waiting period, which would extend through August.

LIV has made the change from 54-hole events to the traditional 72 in order to attempt to make its events eligible for Official Golf World Ranking points, which are used to determine eligibility for major events.

OWGR chairman Trevor Immelman said in a statement Dec. 30 that the process of LIV events attempting to be eligible for OWGR points remains ongoing.

--Field Level Media