The Northern Irishman has his say on the future of the game.
The four-time winner of the Dubai Desert Classic has once again expressed his interest in a World Tour, highlighting the importance of including events in the Middle East as a significant aspect of the proposed plan.
Conversations surrounding the potential establishment of a World Tour have gained momentum in recent months, particularly following discussions involving the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the PGA, and DP World Tour. These organizations are aiming to address the divisions in the sport that emerged after the launch of LIV Golf in 2021.
Despite no longer being a member of the PGA Tour Policy Board since his resignation in November of last year, the golfer from Northern Ireland continues to have a clear vision for the future of the sport.
McIlroy emphasized the importance of including regions like the southern hemisphere, specifically Australia and South Africa.
He also mentioned the significance of incorporating the Far East, including countries like Korea, Japan, and China. Additionally, he highlighted the Middle East, particularly Dubai and Saudi Arabia, as key destinations.
The strategy involves moving from east to west and eventually returning to the United States for the spring and summer seasons.
I believe the appearance may not change drastically from what it is now, but there might be some variations between the beginning and end of the year.
On paper, it seems like a fantastic concept that could enhance the game globally and unite the three major men’s tours once and for all. However, how would it integrate into the current events schedule of the LIV Golf League, PGA, and DP World Tour?
“I envision it as a single tour,” he mentioned.
“I think it would be a tour specifically for the top 80 players in the world. Everything would lead up to that one tour. In my opinion, it would be similar to the Champions League in European football.”
It hovers above all the other leagues, with all those leagues contributing to it, and the top players face off in the Champions League. That’s how I see it.
I mentioned this towards the end of last year, everyone has their own interests in this sport, especially with the current fragmented landscape.
So, the challenge is to align everyone’s interests and persuade them that this is the best move for the game of golf overall. If everyone can be convinced of that, then it would be quite straightforward. But for now, it’s about getting everyone on the same page.
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