I Think That Needs To be Changed’ – McIlroy Gives Verdict On PGA Tour Scheduling Issues
There’s no denying that, in the modern era, there is more professional golf tournaments than ever before, with the upcoming months providing big event after big event.
As we head into the peak of the golf season, there has been the odd comment thrown about in regards to scheduling. Prior to the Memorial Tournament this week, Jack Nicklaus, who has hosted the event since 1976, stated that he doesn’t like the fact that the Memorial Tournament is the week before the US Open.
Now, on Saturday, four-time Major winner, Rory McIlroy, has agreed with the Golf Hall of Famer’s comments, with McIlroy claiming that “this tournament (Memorial) should stand alone”.
Speaking to the media following a one-over-par third round, the 35-year-old stated: “For me, personally, I love to play the week before Majors. I think it really helps me. Jack (Nicklaus) didn’t like to play the weeks before Majors, so I can certainly understand where he’s coming from. I think, regardless, you’re going to get a great field, you’re going to get the same field that you would get two weeks before, a week before, and I think it’s just personal preference.”
One thing that McIlroy didn’t agree on, though, is the run of big events that include Majors and the recently introduced Signature Events. There are eight of these tournaments and they were introduced by the PGA Tour to feature smaller fields, increased prize purses and more FedEx Cup points.
“I think this stretch of golf where it goes Signature Event, Major championship, Signature Event, I think that needs to maybe change because I feel like this tournament should stand alone in a way”, stated McIlroy, who claimed the sixth Signature Event at the Wells Fargo Championship.
He continued: “Even the RBC Heritage at Hilton Head, the week after Augusta, that’s, I think those are tough dates for Travelers and Hilton Head. But, yeah, I mean, I always, I go back to that, whenever, say, 10 years ago, my two favorite weeks of the year were Akron and the PGA. That was always – Akron always felt like a tune-up before the final Major of the year, and I always liked those two events back-to-back.
“But this is more than a tune-up for the US Open, you know. Like, this is a huge tournament with the host being arguably the greatest player ever to play the game, so I think it needs to stand on its own a little bit.”
Matt Cradock
Staff Writer
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.