“For the benefit of pro golf,” Rory McIlroy admits LIV Golf has managed to change the ‘antiquated system’ of the PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy's admission about the influence of the LIV Golf series on the PGA Tour has exposed the Tour's weaknesses.
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Rory McIlroy
The LIV Golf series has been stuck in an uphill battle ever since the inception of the series. It has received a lot of criticism and backlash from the PGA Tour and golfers that have remained loyal. Those who have defected have been banned from the Tour, and have faced a lot of harsh words. At the forefront of the PGA Tour’s lobbying against LIV Golf has been none other than Rory McIlroy.
Always outspoken about the series, McIlroy has not been shy to express his opinion. However, the recent changes to the PGA Tour’s rules and regulations for 2024 has seen the PGA Tour face backlash. It has been accused of copying the LIV Series with its uncut tournaments, smaller fields and bigger prize purses. Many players on the Tour are also unhappy with the decision.
Speaking at a conference recently, McIlroy also commented on the changes to the tour, and how they reflected the precedent set by the LIV Golf series. McIlroy has admitted the the Series has had a big impact on the PGA Tour. It has forced the PGA to change the ‘antiquated system’ that is has been holding on to for several decades.
Rory McIlroy’s humbling admission exposes weaknesses of the PGA Tour
“It already has had significant relevance because it’s made the PGA Tour innovate and adapt. It’s pushed the PGA Tour to make these changes that will hopefully consolidate its long-term future. There is no doubt that LIV has come along and it’s benefited everyone that plays professional golf at a high level. I’m not disputing that,” said McIlroy.
With the Players Championship coming up this week, the 144 member field will be missing their defending champion Cameron Smith. However, McIlroy believes that the only person who is to blame is Smith himself. “Would it be great if the defending champion was here this week? Of course it would but he made a decision to go join a rival league. Because of that decision, that’s why he’s not here.”
While McIlroy still believes it has been the right choice to ban the players from the PGA, he also says that a lot of the Tour’s weaknesses have been exposed. The Tour will look to remedy these changes, which will come in the form of smaller fields and no-cut tournaments. This also means that the rich of the PGA Tour will just continue to get richer.
“It will continue to be a merit-based system,” he said. “If anything we’re just trying to make the tour a little more competitive and a little more cut-throat so that the top players can really elevate themselves and identify themselves as the best players,” insisted McIlroy, saying that the Tour will not become a handout one.
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Saivee Phatak
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