The four-time Major winner discussed his thoughts with Golf Digest ahead of the Dubai Invitational
The PGA Tour and Saudi Public Investment Fund behind LIV Golf are still hammering out details of their framework agreement.
However, even though the outcome of those discussions – and the direction of the elite game – is not likely to be made clear until the spring, Rory McIlroy has outlined his “dream scenario” on the future of golf.
The 34-year-old is preparing for his first start of the year at the inaugural Dubai Invitational on the DP World Tour. Before that, though, he spoke to John Huggan at Golf Digest, where he explained how he would like the elite game to look in an ideal world.
McIlroy began by pointing out that, first and foremost, the venues need to be of a high enough standard to accommodate the best players. He said: “Going forward, if everything is on the table, venues have to be a big part of the consideration. We need to make sure the courses are worthy of the players who are going to be competing.”
The four-time Major winner has long been a LIV Golf critic. But in recent weeks, his position seems to have softened. He recently made an appearance on the Stick To Football podcast, where he acknowledged that the division is bad for the game and that LIV Golf had exposed the “flaws in the system” during the lively conversation.
Reiterating his belief that the game must come together, he suggested that a global tour would be the ideal course of action, especially in light of the associated costs. “My ideal situation would be a global tour, but corporate America would need to play a significant role in it all,” he stated. Saudi Arabia as well. It’s just elementary economics.
“But there is an untapped commercial opportunity out there. Investors always want to make a return on their money. Revenues at the PGA Tour right now are about $2.3 billion. So how do we get that number up to four or six?
“To me, it is by looking outward. They need to think internationally and spread their wings a bit. I’ve been banging that drum for a while.”
McIlroy also sees a world where the national tournaments reclaim the high profiles they once enjoyed. He explained: “Whether they are rotated on the new global circuit, or we go with the same ones every year, I’m OK with either.
“The Australian Open, for example, should almost be the fifth Major. The market down there is huge with potential. They love golf. They love sport. They have been starved of top-level golf. And the courses are so good.
“The South African Open is another I’d have in the mix. Then you have places like Singapore and Hong Kong and Japan. What a market Japan represents. That would be another opportunity.”
McIlroy then explained he envisages something akin to another sport – F1. He said: “We could end up with something that resembles Formula One, but with a little more of an American presence. Throw in the four Majors and you have a brilliant schedule for the top 70-100 guys, whatever the number is. We’d have, say a 22-event schedule. That would look pretty good to me.”
During his recent podcast interview, McIlroy suggested LIV Golf would take inspiration from cricket’s IPL, and he stressed that point again, saying: “If it is done like the IPL cricket model, team competition has a chance in golf.
“I’ve stated my thoughts regarding LIV. It is still a confusing product, in my opinion. Thus, they should put more of an emphasis on teamwork. Go deep into team golf if you want to add value to your team franchises, particularly if you won’t be earning world ranking points.
Eight events were scheduled, four in the spring and four in the fall, as far as I could see. I would love it if it was a team event similar to the Indian Premier League. There is a chance to contribute more to the larger ecosystem there.
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