Renowned golfer Rory McIlroy has proposed the creation of a new global golf tour in the style of a ‘Champions League’, which would involve 20 top LIV stars and omit American player Phil Mickelson. The ongoing dispute between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf shows no signs of resolution.
Having initially supported the PGA Tour when LIV was established in 2022, McIlroy has distanced himself from the conflict and put forward a potential solution to the high-level disagreements in the sport: a world tour inspired by the structure of the Champions League in European football.
According to McIlroy, the plan would entail the top players from both tours qualifying for a new competition that would conclude the season, providing more opportunities for the world’s elite players to come together outside of the major championships.
The feasibility and potential participants of such a concept remain uncertain. Nevertheless, it presents an intriguing idea that could potentially benefit the sport.
In terms of logistics, McIlroy has suggested the creation of a separate tour for the top 80 players in the world, mirroring the structure of the Champions League in European football.
While acknowledging that this idea may currently seem far-fetched, McIlroy believes it is worth considering as it could potentially benefit all parties involved. The main challenge lies in finding a suitable timeslot for the competition, as both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf are unwilling to compromise on their schedules.
The proposal outlines a split season beginning in winter and resuming after a break, similar to the format of the Champions League. It aims to fill a gap in the golf calendar, providing an opportunity for the best players to compete more frequently and in diverse locations.
In addition to the sporting aspect, a global tour would also be attractive to sponsors as it is likely to attract large audiences eager to watch elite players compete for substantial prizes.
Emphasizing the current imbalance in the global presence of golf, McIlroy highlighted the inclusion of diverse locations such as the southern hemisphere, the Far East, and the Middle East, providing new audiences with the opportunity to experience major championship-quality golf in person.
If the proposal were to come to fruition, it would undoubtedly be met with debates and negotiations from both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, particularly in determining the qualifying spots for each tour. Using the Official World Golf Ranking is not feasible due to the impact of LIV’s players plummeting down the rankings.
Based on the proposal, 60 spots for the PGA Tour and 20 for LIV seem to be reasonable, with qualification based on the previous season’s FedEX Cup and LIV Golf individual standings. Notably, the notable names to miss out on qualifying under these criteria include Phil Mickelson and Justin Thomas.
Ultimately, while the concept of a world tour may appear ambitious, recent developments in the golfing world indicate that it is certainly a notion worthy of consideration. The potential for increased competition among the best golfers and the opportunity for fans from diverse regions to witness the sport firsthand could be a game-changer for the sport.