Rory McIlroy calls for Europe to stage ‘Elevated Events’

Rory McIlroy says he would like to see golf tournaments in Europe being added to the PGA Tour’s roster of ‘Elevated Events’.  

The world No.3 believes that the US-based circuit should consider adding some of the top DP World Tour events to its calendar to create, as he put it, “more of a World Tour schedule”.  

As part of that, he would like to see some of the top European tournaments benefit from the PGA Tour’s ‘Elevated Event’ status. 

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“I think Europe needs to get into the mix,” said the Irishman. “I think everyone knows [the PGA Tour] is the place that you want to play golf, right? It is what it is. The one thing I would like to see going forward with this sort of designated events’ schedule is trying to get some of those tournaments in the mix overseas. 

“Irish Open. Spanish Open. Scottish Open is obviously a co-sanctioned event now, which is a big step forward. Wentworth.  

“There are a few obvious ones that stick out that could, you could try to incorporate into more of a World Tour schedule, more so than it just being purely DP world, purely PGA Tour. Try to sort of combine the two a little bit.” 

McIlroy also spoke up in defence of the decision to reserve PGA Tour cards for DP World Tour players.  

Beginning this season, the top ten players on the Race To Dubai, who are not already PGA Tour card-holders, will earn playing privileges for the US-based circuit from next season. 

The move, which is part of the ‘Strategic Alliance’ between the two circuits, has been criticised by some but McIlroy believes it’s a good thing. 

“People complain about these ten cards going to the European Tour players that get on this tour. Butif I’m a European Tour player, that’s brilliant,” he said. 

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“Instead of trying to think about what’s good for the tour, think about what’s good for the players that are on that Tour. I think that’s where people need to sort of reframe their mind a little bit.” 

McIlroy did, however, say that the PGA Tour is not for everybody.  

“There’s a lot of big fish in a small pond in Europe. Then, when they get over here, they get over here, they find it difficult and they don’t like it. And then they go back to what’s comfortable.” 

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor