The golf world was left reeling today after Rory McIlroy, the 2025 Masters champion, made headlines for fiercely rejecting a staggering $10 million offer from billionaire Elon Musk to join a high-profile celebrity golf event tied to Musk’s latest SpaceX initiative. McIlroy’s blunt response during a press conference ahead of the Truist Championship—“Don’t overestimate yourself!”—not only stunned global media but also drew a fiery retort from Musk, who warned, “You’ll regret this choice!” The dramatic exchange has ignited a firestorm of reactions, leaving fans and analysts questioning what this clash of titans means for McIlroy’s future both on and off the course.
The offer from Musk came as part of his ambitious plan to host a star-studded golf exhibition in 2026, dubbed the “SpaceX Galactic Golf Challenge,” which aims to raise funds for STEM education while promoting SpaceX’s upcoming lunar tourism project. Musk reportedly reached out to McIlroy, fresh off his career Grand Slam at the Masters, to headline the event alongside other celebrities like Justin Bieber and NFL star Tom Brady. The $10 million appearance fee would have been one of the largest ever offered for a single golf event, according to Forbes. However, McIlroy, known for his principled stances, didn’t hesitate to turn it down. “I’m not here to be a pawn in someone’s publicity stunt,” McIlroy told reporters. “Golf is my focus, not space travel. Elon might think he can buy anyone, but I’m not for sale.”
Musk, never one to back down, responded swiftly on X, where he has 208 million followers. “Rory McIlroy just made a big mistake,” Musk wrote. “You’ll regret this choice—mark my words.” The Tesla CEO’s cryptic threat sent shockwaves through the sports and entertainment worlds, with many speculating about what “price” McIlroy might have to pay. Some on X suggested Musk could retaliate by targeting McIlroy’s sponsors, like TaylorMade or Omega, while others wondered if Musk might use his influence to exclude McIlroy from future high-profile events. One fan posted, “Elon doesn’t mess around—Rory might have just made a powerful enemy.” Another wrote, “McIlroy standing up to Musk is iconic, but that ‘regret’ comment is chilling.”
McIlroy, however, appeared unfazed by Musk’s reaction. “I’ve dealt with bigger pressures than this,” he said, referencing his recent T12 finish at the Zurich Classic 2025 and his ongoing preparation for the Truist Championship (May 8-11) and PGA Championship (May 15-18) at Quail Hollow. “My focus is on winning tournaments, not playing games with billionaires.” McIlroy’s defiance has earned him praise from some corners of the golf community, with Justin Thomas tweeting, “Respect to Rory for staying true to himself. Not everyone can say no to $10M.” Others, however, questioned whether McIlroy’s decision might backfire, given Musk’s vast influence across industries.
The clash has also reignited discussions about the intersection of golf and celebrity culture, especially as the sport navigates its own internal conflicts between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. McIlroy, who recently called for eventual unity between the two tours on CNBC’s Squawk Box, now finds himself at the center of a different kind of controversy—one that pits his integrity against the whims of one of the world’s most powerful men. As the Truist Championship approaches, all eyes will be on McIlroy to see if this off-course drama affects his performance on the fairways, or if Musk’s ominous warning will come to fruition in ways no one can predict.
