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.
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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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