Less players and less cards! Rory McIlroy wants ‘cut-throat’ PGA Tour
Having already said a ‘World Tour’ would be his dream for golf, Rory McIlroy has now declared his vision for the PGA Tour…
Rory McIlroy is in full favour of a “cut-throat” PGA Tour with fewer players and fewer tour cards.
Just 69 competitors started the Arnold Palmer Invitational at what is one of the circuit’s Signature Events featuring reduced fields prioritising the top-performing players.
The PGA Tour has eight Signature Events, five of which don’t have a cut which means 72 holes and a pay packet is guaranteed for each player. There is a cut at Bay Hill.
Although McIlroy can take or leave 36-hole cuts, he is keen on making the PGA Tour more competitive with the “best of the best” competing in smaller fields.
“I was indifferent. When all these Signature Events were thought of, we were thinking no cut, but if it’s important enough, or if it’s that important to Tiger and Jack and if Arnold were alive, if it was important enough for him, then it’s their tournament, at the end of the day, and they can do whatever they want,” he said on Friday.
“I could have went either way, but if it’s important enough to those guys, then we’ll have a cut.
“I’m all for making it more cut-throat, more competitive,” he added. “Probably won’t be very popular for saying this, but I’m all for less players and less tour cards, and the best of the best.
Rory McIlroy: PGA Tour cards for players who prove it ‘year after year’
The Northern Irishman is never shy to speak his mind about professional golf, something that has become abundantly clear since the birth of LIV Golf in 2022 and his increased role of authority on the PGA Tour.
Having become the tour’s most vocal supporter during the last two years, McIlroy resigned from the PGA Tour Policy Board at the end of 2023 to focus on his game, with a peace deal between the tour and the Public Investment Fund, the Saudi sovereign wealth fund that bankrolls LIV Golf, possibly in the offing.
The four-time major champion, who has touted the idea of a ‘World Tour’ since his resignation, expanded on his point after the third round in Florida when he was asked how many players should have PGA Tour cards if it were up to him.
“Why wouldn’t I speak my mind, I guess. You asked me my opinion and I give it to you. I’m not going to stand up here and lie to you,” he added.
“I guess my thing is, I’m all for more cut-throat and more competitive and trying to give pathways to the younger generation.
“So, through Korn Ferry Tour, through PGA Tour U – I just feel like there’s a lot of categories on tour that people are still benefiting off what they did like five or 10 years ago.
“I feel like the most competitive professional golf tour in the world, you should have to come out and prove yourself year after year after year.”
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Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
