Rory McIlroy criticises proposed PGA Tour two-track schedule changes
Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy has strongly criticised the PGA Tour’s proposed two-track schedule model, fearing that historic tournaments will be significantly devalued.
Speaking ahead of the US Open at Shinnecock Hills, the former world number one warned that some events could become “glorified Korn Ferry events” under the new system.
The proposed overhaul, spearheaded by new PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp, would introduce a promotion and relegation structure to the American circuit.
Protecting the ‘old ways’
Under the new plans, a premier ‘Track One’ would feature 15 to 18 elite events alongside the four majors and the Players Championship.
Players in ‘Track Two’ would then compete for 20 to 30 available promotion spots to reach the top tier the following season.
However, the 35-year-old believes this model demands unreasonable financial commitments from sponsors to maintain a tournament’s elite status.
“I just think there’s going to be certain events that might lose their stature if a sponsor doesn’t pony up $30m, so that’s the tough thing.”
He specifically highlighted the Canadian Open as a prestigious national championship that should be protected from being downgraded to the secondary tier.
The fading threat of LIV Golf
The Ryder Cup star also noted that the financial landscape of professional golf has shifted dramatically, referencing the reported withdrawal of Saudi Arabian funding from the rival LIV Golf league.
He suggested that the controversial breakaway circuit had created a “false economy” which previously forced the PGA Tour to unexpectedly increase prize funds and reduce field sizes.
“Which I think needed to happen because that was the only way to retain talent at the time, but now that LIV looks like it’s less of a threat, I think the old ways of the PGA Tour weren’t actually that bad.”
Nicklaus shares schedule concerns
The four-time major winner is not alone in his opposition to the sweeping administrative changes targeting a 2028 implementation.
Eighteen-time major champion Jack Nicklaus recently voiced his own displeasure at the Memorial Tournament, citing issues with elite events being scheduled too closely together.
“I hate to see tournaments bunched too much together with too many big tournaments too close together. That’s a problem, I think, and I think that’s going to be a problem for the Tour in the future.”
PGA Tour chief Rolapp has acknowledged the complexity of enacting the new competitive and commercial models, though preliminary changes could still be formally announced later this summer.
