McIlroy cited a desire to be able to create his own schedule as a reason for opposing the PGLGETTY IMAGES
Rory McIlroy has delivered a "massive blow" to the Premier Golf League by saying that he "will not be part of the big-money world circuit," according to Martin Dempster of THE SCOTSMAN. A week after Tiger Woods talked about the PGL's potential to revolutionize the game, McIlroy "slammed the door shut on the idea." He said, "The more I've thought about it, the more I don't like it. For me, I'm out." Dempster noted under the PGL proposal, 48 players "would compete in an 18-tournament season offering a total prize fund" of $240M. McIlroy said, "The one thing as a professional golfer in my position that I value is the fact that I have autonomy and freedom over everything that I do. ... If you go and play in this other golf league, you're not going to have that choice" (THE SCOTSMAN, 2/19). Golf Channel's Todd Lewis said, "Those considering the Premier Golf League heard what Rory had to say." Outside of Woods, McIlroy's voice likely "carries the most weight" in the sport, "especially in regards to controversial issues like the Premier Golf League." Golf Channel's Rex Hoggard: "His voice went a long way, and it was obvious that he just didn't come to this decision" ("Golf Central," Golf Channel, 2/19).
JOY IN JACKSONVILLE: GOLF DIGEST's Brian Wacker wrote McIlroy's words "had to be sweet music to PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan's ears." McIlroy's decision is a "statement that the status quo, or at least many elements of it, are the better option." McIlroy is the "first high-profile player to publicly choose sides." Golfer Shane Lowry pointed out that if the PGL "can't land McIlroy and other big names, then it's dead on arrival" (GOLFDIGEST.com, 2/19). Golf Channel's Paige MacKenzie notes the PGL, in order to successfully launch, was "going to have to have a handful of the top names" commit to the concept. Having McIlroy dismiss the new tour is a "huge hit to that whole proposal." Golf Channel's Robert Damron: "It's never going to get off the ground. ... This helps kill it" ("Morning Drive," Golf Channel, 2/20). Charley Hoffman, who chairs the PGA Tour's Player Advisory Council, said, "I don't know if I would like to be owned by some Saudi money over there, but if something was a life-changing amount of money they offered me, you'd have to look at it as an independent contractor. Because there's no guarantees that I'll have a PGA Tour card in three or four years" (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 2/20).
ROSTER BUILDING? Golf writer Geoff Shackelford noted a gathering of agents and seven prominent players last week ahead of the PGA Tour Genesis Invitational in L.A. "allowed for potential PGL targets to hear a presentation." Attendees included Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Justin Rose, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed. Rose confirmed that his agent Mark Steinberg, who also reps Woods, has "been running interference for him with the league founders." Rose "openly discussed his mostly positive views on the league concept while reiterating multiple times that he needs questions answered." Rose said, "It needs to come to a head shortly, otherwise it becomes too much noise for noise sake." Mickelson said he expects to "have a pretty good opinion" about his decision by the middle of next month (GEOFFSHACKELFORD.com, 2/19).
