With the PGA Tour, LIV Golf and the DP World Tour still locked in negotiations over a proposed merger, Rory McIlroy has now outlined how he sees the golfing landscape changing in the future
In an attempt to break the impasse between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, Rory McIlroy has suggested a revamped world circuit that would resemble Formula One.
The superstar from Northern Ireland was once among the most outspoken opponents of the defectors who eventually joined the breakaway LIV Golf. However, since the surprise announcement of merger plans last summer, the possibility of a legally binding truce between the warring factions has appeared.
Nevertheless, during the second half of 2023, negotiations to reach a final agreement between the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and the DP World Tour came to a standstill. The deadline for a deal, which was originally set for December 31, was ultimately extended as long as the interested parties could not agree on a clear course of action.
Famous figures such as Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, and John Rahm have been drawn to the Gulf State in the last two years due to the wealth that is available there. Because of this, the state of golf is essentially unrecognizable from earlier times, although McIlroy has now acknowledged that the changes made to the game have allowed for reevaluation.
The world No. 2 player shared his outlook for the future with Golf Digest while in Dubai, saying, “Going forward, if everything is on the table, venues have to be a big part of the consideration.” My ideal situation would be a global tour, but corporate America would need to play a significant role in it all. Saudi Arabia as well. It’s just elementary economics.
However, there exists an unexplored business prospect. The goal of investment is to yield a profit at all times. Currently, the PGA Tour brings in roughly $2.3 billion in revenue. How then do we raise that figure to four or six? I believe that by turning outward. They must broaden their horizons and adopt an international perspective. I have been pounding that drum for some time now.”
The four-time major winner also provided detailed information about the possible format of a new world tour, suggesting a broad, fictitious itinerary that would stop in several different cities. “I don’t mind if we stick with the same ones every year or if they are rotated on the new global circuit,” he continued.
He even made a suggestion that the proposed world tour should function somewhat like Formula One, leaving a variety of options up for discussion. “The Australian Open, for example, should almost be the fifth major,” he continued, outlining a possible schedule of 22 events for the “top 70-100” players in the world.
“There is a lot of potential in that enormous market. They’re huge golf fans. They adore athletics. They haven’t had much access to elite golf. The courses are excellent as well. Another tournament I would include is the South African Open. Then there are nations like Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. What Japan stands for as a market. That would present a different chance.”
“We might wind up with something that looks like Formula One, but with a little more of an American presence,” McIlroy continued. Including the four majors results in an excellent schedule for the top 70–100 players, regardless of the exact number. We would schedule, let’s say, 22 events. I think that would look pretty good.”
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