Rory McIlroy On Premier Golf League: "I'm Out"

The four-time Major winner says that the more he thinks about the Premier Golf League, the more he doesn't like it

Rory McIlroy On Premier Golf League: "I'm Out"
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The World No.1 says that the more he thinks about the Premier Golf League, the more he doesn't like it

Rory McIlroy On Premier Golf League: "I'm Out"

Rory McIlroy has dealt a huge blow to the newly-proposed Premier Golf League, saying that he is "out" and that the more he thinks about it, the more he doesn't like it.

The Premier Golf League is proposed to start in 2022 or 2023 and feature 18 tournaments with 48 players.

McIlroy was asked about the league last month at Torrey Pines where he seemed hesitant to comment but did say that he is a traditionalist.

Since then, his comments have drastically changed and they will be music to the ears of Jay Monahan and Keith Pelley, leaders of the PGA and European Tours respectively.

"Yeah they have a little bit actually," McIlroy said after being asked if his thoughts have changed on the Premier Golf League.

"The more I've thought about it, the more I don't like it.

"The one thing as a professional golfer in my position that I value is the fact that I have autonomy and freedom over everything I do.

"This is a perfect example. Some guys this week made the choice not to come to Mexico.

"You know, if you go and play this other golf league, you're not gonna have that choice.

"I read a thing the other day where it said if you take the money they can tell you what to do so if you don't take the money they can't tell you what to do.

"So I think that's my thing, I've never been one for being told what to do and I like to have that autonomy and freedom over my career and I feel like I would give that up by going to play this other league.

"So for me, I'm out

"My position is I'm against it until there may come a day where I can't be against it if everyone else goes I mightn't have a choice.

"But at this point I don't like what they're proposing."

Related: "Intrigued" Mickelson plays with Premier Golf League representatives in Saudi

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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