McIlroy On PGL: 'Didn't Like Where The Money Was Coming From'

The World Number One has reiterated his comments on the Premier Golf League

McIlroy On PGL: 'Didn't Like Where The Money Was Coming From'
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The World Number One has reiterated his comments on the Premier Golf League

McIlroy On PGL: 'Didn't Like Where The Money Was Coming From'

Rory McIlroy has reiterated his comments on the Premier Golf League, saying that he is glad that he was the first one to speak out against it.

The World No.1, speaking with Golf Central after his opening 66 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, also said that he didn't like where the money was coming from.

The newly-proposed Premier Golf League would have 48 players contracted to play in 18 tournaments.

It has a number of funders, including the Saudi Public Investment Fund, which we believe is what McIlroy was referring to.

“The reason I said what I said is because, we were in Mexico a couple of weeks ago and some people decided not to go, but that was their choice,” McIlroy said on the Golf Channel's Golf Central programme about his initial PGL comments.

At the WGC-Mexico Championship, he said that he was "out" and that the more he thought about it, the more he didn't like it.

“That was the freedom they had, they have autonomy over their schedule, and they can pick and choose when and where they want to play," he continued.

"Where, we go to this new league, that’s not going to be the case.

"You are going to be contracted to play 18 events, they're going to tell you where and when you should be there, and 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, and I’m glad that I have,” McIlroy said.

Watch a clip of his interview below:

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Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!


Elliott is currently playing:


Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV