Rory McIlroy wants changes to the PGA Tour. (Image: Getty.)
has come out in favour of a “more cut-throat” approach to the which would see fewer tour cards handed out to players, ensuring a series that would be considered more exclusive and harder to reach.
McIlroy, , next turns his attention to the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
And the Northern Ireland star has come out in favour of cutting the field, perhaps similarly to those involved at where there are smaller numbers of players and guaranteed money.
Having previously faced push-back from the PGA Tour Policy Board over this year, McIlroy resigned from his position on the board last year, despite format tweaks in the wake of first departures to LIV Golf.
This year there were smaller fields at eight ‘designated’ events, while ‘legacy’ events also host a smaller number of competitors, an idea McIlroy is very much on board with elsewhere – though he anticipates a negative reaction to the proposed change.
“No, I mean, I’m all for making it more cut-throat, more competitive,” McIlroy said. “Probably won’t be very popular for saying this, but I’m all for less players and less tour cards, and the best of the best.
Rory McIlroy after losing a play-off to Billy Horschel. (Image: Getty)
“I think, when all these signature events were thought of, we were thinking no cut, but if it’s important enough, or if it’s that important to and Jack (Nicklaus) and if Arnold (Palmer) were alive, if it was important enough for him, then it’s their tournament, at the end of the day, and they can do whatever they want.
“I could have went either way, but if it’s important enough to those guys, then we’ll have a cut.”
In 2025 signature events will comprise a minimal field of 72, with an alternate list to fill vacated spots, and while a uniform cut was suggested at the yearly review, no such change was made by the board.
And while McIlroy is in favour of fewer players competing, he wants the ability for those outside of the current rankings to be able to qualify.
“There’s ways to play into it. It’s trying to get the top guys versus the hot guys, right?” He previously said. “I think that creates a really compelling product, but a way that you don’t have to wait an entire year for your good play to then get an opportunity. That opportunity presents itself straight away.
“You play well for two or three weeks, you’re in a designated event. You know then if you keep playing well you stay in them.”