McIlroy 'would retire' before joining LIV Golf

Rory McIlroy wouldn't join the LIV Golf League if it were "the last place to play golf on Earth."

The world's third-ranked player made the comments after his first round on Thursday at the Scottish Open.

Long an outspoken critic of the rival Saudi-backed golf circuit, McIlroy didn't lay up when asked about reports that he and Tiger Woods might have become team owners and captains once the LIV Golf League partnered with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.

"If LIV Golf was the last place to play golf on Earth, I would retire," McIlroy said, per multiple reports. "That's how I feel about it. I'd play the majors, but I'd be pretty comfortable."

The 34-year-old Northern Irishman was tied for second place at 6-under following the opening round on Thursday in North Berwick, Scotland.

He was three shots behind South Korea's Byeong Hun An in the final tune-up for the Open Championship next week at Royal Liverpool Golf Club.

A PGA Tour official told ESPN earlier this week that the tour quickly rejected the idea of Woods and McIlroy joining LIV Golf.