Rory McIlroy may no longer be a part of the PGA Tour Policy Board but that hasn’t stopped him from planning the future of professional golf with the help of The Strategic Sports Group, and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
McIlroy, ahead of his first appearance in 2024 on the DP World Tour’s Dubai Invitational on Tuesday, told Golf Digest that he had a “dream situation” of a golf tour which spanned multiple continents while still featuring a strong American influence. He expanded on this idea to the entire media on Wednesday.
“My dream scenario would be a tour of the world, but with one condition: corporate America must remain an important part. Saudi Arabia, too. McIlroy told Golf Digest, “That’s basic economics.” There is a commercial opportunity that has not been tapped. Investors are always looking to get a return on investment. PGA Tour revenues are currently around $2.3 billion. How can we increase that number to four or six then? I think it’s by looking outside. They should think globally and expand their wings. “I’ve been beating that drum for quite some time.”
McIlroy said Wednesday in Dubai Creek Resort that “informally” we already have the majority of this global schedule. “We need to ensure that the largest tournaments take place in America, as that is where we play the most. We’re also working to raise the profile of other tournaments in the world, such as those held in the Middle East, Continental Europe and the U.K. & Ireland, Far East (Japan, Korea, Singapore or Hong Kong), Australia, South Africa, South Africa, South Africa, South Africa, South Africa, South Africa, South Africa, South Africa, South Africa, South Africa, South America, South Africa, South Africa, South Africa, South Africa, South Africa, South Africa, South Africa, South Africa, South Africa You’ve got many different options there.”
He continued, “I think that everyone should start thinking about it more holistically and not just in terms of this tour, another tour or any other tour.” What is the best way to structure elite professional golf for the top 70-100 guys in the World? Especially if the future of the game will be different. It’s worth the conversation.
McIlroy argued that the United States should be involved in the PGA Tour given its size and reputation, but admitted that the Tour’s huge market had prevented others from thriving.
He said: “If we could all work together more, a rising tide would lift all boats or ships. That’s what I would think of when I was thinking about the best thing for professional golf.”
McIlroy stated in that LIV Golf had “exposed flaws” in the system by using players as independent contractors. This made it impossible for Tour companies to compete financially and for Tour players to afford the increasing costs of sponsorship. He has a simple solution: player contracts.
McIlroy said that “when you look at the different sports, the media landscape, and how much they pay for sporting events I think you need to be able guarantee them the product” for which they paid. “So, in my opinion, yes, I’d say that people have to sign up for a certain number events each year and be contracted; sponsors and media partners would know that they are getting the guys that they want.”
SparkNotes’ version of McIlroy’s plan would place a strong emphasis on classic U.S. tournaments and national open, including the Australian Open. It also included stops in popular European countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan. Even the Middle East.
“Throw in four majors, and you’ve got a brilliant schedule,” said. We’d say we had a schedule of 22 events. This would be a pretty nice schedule to me.”
