Rory McIlroy Calls On PGA Tour To Be More Transparent

Rory Mcilroy has urged the PGA Tour to be more transparent, particularly with bans and suspensions

Rory McIlroy speaks at a press conference
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Speaking ahead of the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, Rory McIlroy has called on the PGA Tour to be more transparent in some of its “closed shop” approaches.

The Northern Irishman said: “I think the one thing the Tour could do a better job at in general is transparency.” He added: “Maybe it not being as a closed shop. I’ve always felt that a few of the bans or suspensions, I think that all should be announced. I think that should be more transparent, I’ve also said that.”

McIlroy’s comments come in the wake of Phil Mickelson’s outburst, where he accused the PGA Tour of "obnoxious greed" over player image rights. It was later reported that Mickelson was using the rumoured Saudi-backed Super League approach as leverage to better the PGA Tour. Lefty said: "The Saudi money has finally given us that leverage. I’m not sure I even want [the SGL] to succeed, but just the idea of it is allowing us to get things done with the [PGA] Tour.”

Mickelson has since backtracked his comments and issued a public statement, as well as announcing a sabbatical from professional golf. His sabbatical had many fans wondering whether it was self-imposed or whether it had been an enforced suspension by the PGA Tour.

McIlroy enters the Players Championship after a T13 finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The four-time Major winner was two shots clear of the field after his opening seven-under-par 65, but finished six back from eventual winner, Scottie Scheffler. He said the weekend conditions at the Arnold Palmer Invitational were like “crazy golf” and admitted to feeling “punch drunk” after shooting back-to-back 76s.

James Hibbitt
Writer

James joined Golf Monthly having previously written for other digital outlets. He is obsessed with all areas of the game – from tournament golf, to history, equipment, technique and travel. He is also an avid collector of memorabilia; with items from the likes of Bobby Jones, Tiger Woods, Francis Ouimet, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Adam Scott and Ernie Els. As well as writing for Golf Monthly, James’ golfing highlight is fist bumping Phil Mickelson on his way to winning the Open Championship at Muirfield in 2013. James grew up on the east coast of England and is the third generation of his golfing family. He now resides in Leeds and is a member of Cobble Hall Golf Club with a handicap index of 1.7. His favourite films are The Legend of Bagger Vance and Tin Cup.