Rory McIlroy put together a solid 2-under 69 during the third round of the Genesis Invitational on Saturday, although he remains behind Patrick Cantlay in the standings.
Yet, rather than focusing solely on his performance, McIlroy took the opportunity to delve into his vision for the future of professional golf.
Drawing inspiration from his passion for Manchester United, McIlroy proposed a structure akin to the UEFA Champions League in soccer. He envisions a unified tour encompassing the top 80 players globally.
“It would be one tour. I think you would create a tour for the top 80 players in the world,” explained McIlroy. “Everything feeds up into that one. The way I look at it, it would be like the Champions League in European football. It sits above the rest of the leagues, and then all those leagues feed up into that, and the best of the best play against each other in the Champions League is the way I would think about it.”
Much like the Champions League draws teams from various European leagues, McIlroy’s concept would integrate players from the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LIV Golf, and potentially other circuits like the Asian Tour and Sunshine Tour.
The allocation of slots from each league would be determined by a formula reflecting their competitiveness.
Moreover, tournaments under this new structure would span the globe, incorporating regions such as the Southern Hemisphere, the Far East, and the Middle East.
“There has to be a component of the southern hemisphere, Australia, South Africa. There obviously has to be a component of the Far East, whether that be Korea, Japan, or China. Obviously, the Middle East as well,” McIlroy emphasized.
Speculating on the tour’s schedule, McIlroy proposed a lineup that accommodates various regions throughout the year.
For instance, events could kick off in the Far East and the Middle East in January and February, followed by tournaments in the United States, including marquee events like the WM Phoenix Open and Riviera, before heading to Florida in March.
With the potential for a 24-event schedule, including four major championships, McIlroy suggested that around 10 to 12 events could be held in the United States, considering its significance as a golf market.
However, he also emphasized the importance of expanding into other major markets globally to benefit fans, sponsors, media partners, and the tour as a whole.
In essence, McIlroy’s vision offers a blueprint for a more cohesive and globally inclusive future for professional golf.
