Rory McIlroy sees himself as a global player because of the variety of destinations his golfing season encompasses each year. The Northern Irishman has done nothing but lead by example, as he believes this is the direction in which world golf should be moving.
During his pre-tournament press conference at The PLAYERS Championship, McIlroy stated that not only should there be more tournaments outside the United States on the PGA Tour calendar, but that some of the high-profile events should be played at international venues.
“I think there’s an opportunity for it to be worldwide,” McIlroy said. “Yeah, I feel like golf isn’t just played in America. It didn’t start in America. It’s played in a lot of other places in the world.”
“I think there is an opportunity to have some of the bigger tournaments outside of America… I think we need bigger events in Australia.
“I think the Australian Open needs to be put up and sort of held to a higher — the Australian Open was always a very big tournament back in the day, and I think that could be one that could be elevated along with some others.”
Rory McIlroy on worldwide golf:
“I think there’s an opportunity for it to be worldwide. Golf isn’t just played in America. It didn’t start in America…
“I think there’s an opportunity to have some of the bigger tournaments outside of America.”
Love this. pic.twitter.com/MnORL2HmzU
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) March 12, 2025
The Northern Irishman also spoke about the idea of a “world tour”, which has been mentioned several times in recent weeks by PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan. The idea is to create a circuit that brings together all the best players in the world.
The four-time major winner was supportive of the project and even shared his vision of a tournament schedule for the eventual tour.
“It’s got to be once a month if not more. I think 12 times a year or maybe a smidge higher than that I think would be a good number.”
Rory McIlroy used himself as an example of having a schedule that includes tournaments around the world. For several years now, he has been starting the year in the Middle East and then joining the PGA Tour. After the season ends in America with the TOUR Championship, the Northern Irishman heads to Europe to finish his season on the DP World Tour.
The PGA Tour has only eight international tournaments scheduled for the 2025 season. All of them are regular or opposite events, the lowest event categories on the circuit.
Three of those tournaments will be played in the so-called FedEx Cup Fall, which includes the weakest fields of the entire season.
The only elevated event on the PGA Tour calendar that is played on foreign soil is The Open Championship, the fourth major of the season.
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