RORY MCILROY HAS spoken out against the proposed Premier Golf League, saying that players won’t have the same freedom they are afforded in the PGA.
The world number one, who is one shot off the lead in the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, previously said “I’m out” about the prospect of joining the breakaway circuit.
The tournaments would be 54 holes rather than the traditional 72 and there would be an individual and team league format, with the weekly individual winner claiming $2m (€1.8m) of the $10m (€9.2m) purse.
Reiterating his opposition to the proposal this week, McIlroy told the Golf Channel that he wants to remain loyal to the PGA:
“I’d like to think I’m quite a loyal person. I think the PGA has given me a platform to showcase my skills, build my brand and turn me into this golfer and athlete.
“The reason I said what I said [was] we were in Mexico a couple of weeks ago and some people decided not to go, but that was their choice. They have autonomy over their schedule and they can pick and choose when and where they want to play.”
He continued:
.@McIlroyRory's found a home and plenty of support on the PGA TOUR and he will always remain loyal 🤜🏼🤛🏼 pic.twitter.com/EpPATsXpCK
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) March 5, 2020
“If we go to this new league, that’s not gonna be the case. You’re going to be contracted to play 18 events, they’re gonna tell you where and when you should be there.
“As a golfer and an independent contractor, I didn’t like the sound of that. I didn’t really like where the money was coming from either and I wanted to be the first one to speak out against it.
“I’m glad that I have.
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With the golf he’s playing the last 18 months, and the honesty he speaks with..it’s very hard not to like him
@Sean Murphy: I’m a hard worker.
@Quoka: “I’m hard work” there ya go fixed that for you pal
@my name: Haha! That’s actually very good. Should have seen it coming!
Still don’t like McIlroy though.
@Sean Murphy: not that hard, PGA helped me build my brand, pass the sick bucket
@Quoka: you’re entitled to your opinion
@Ronny Phelan: he’s got the 3rd longest streak of weeks as world no.1 of all time. Of course he’s got a brand, he also used his brand to set up the Rory foundation that raised millions for charities all around the world. His “brand” also helped attract big names to the Irish open when he hosted it, in fact if it wasn’t for his brand I doubt The Open would of come back to Portrush and also the huge names and Pro Am happening later this year. His brand has been very good to golf on this island let’s be honest now
Fair play to him, never afraid to speak his mind and stand up for his beliefs.
@s mc: or for Nike’s
Where’s the money coming from
@kevin lally: a large merchant bank in the UK, Barclays Bank in the UK and Oil money from Saudi. Not a nice mix!
Not a Rory fan by any means but fair play to him opposing this and also for putting Azinger back in his pram after his cheap shot at Fleetwood.