Rory McIlroy defends ‘no cut’ PGA Tour events

Rory McIlroy has spoken up in defence of changes to the PGA Tour ‘elevated events’.  

The US-based circuit has confirmed that, from next year, several of its most lucrative events will go ahead with reduced fields and no cuts.  

The much-rumoured tweaks were agreed by the organisation’s Policy Board in a meeting on Tuesday and shared with the tour’s membership earlier today.  

• LIV trolls PGA Tour over ‘elevated events’ changes

• Faldo blasts Garcia over McIlroy remarks

The news that the fields for those tournaments will be reduced to between 70 and 80 players, each of whom will be guaranteed a payday, has prompted a social media backlash, not to mention trolling from several individuals associated with LIV Golf. 

However, world No.3 McIlroy insists that the changes are in the best interests of all players on the PGA Tour, not just the most highly ranked. 

Commissioner Monahan met with players today and shared plans for a new schedule format.

"The schedule will distribute Designated events and Full-Field events … creating a strong cadence for players and fans alike.”

More details below ⬇️

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 1, 2023

“I love it,” said the Irishman. “Obviously, I’ve been a part of it and been in a ton of discussions. I think it makes the tour more competitive.  

“I’m all about rewarding good play. I want to give everyone a fair shake at this, which I think this structure has done. There are ways to play into it. It’s trying to get the top guys versus the hot guys, right? I think that creates a really compelling product but in a way that you don’t have to wait an entire year for your good play to then get the opportunity. That opportunity presents itself straight away. 

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“You play well for two or three weeks, you’re in a designated event. You know then if you keep playing well you stay in them. 

“For example, someone like a Chris Kirk last week that wins Honda, he’s set. Winning is really important on this tour and good play and rewarding that.” 

On the ‘no cuts’ point, McIlroy added: “We’ve always had no-cut events on this tour. If you think of the four WGCs, you’ve got the three Playoffs events, you’ve got the CJ Cup, the ZOZO. There’s precedent there for no-cut events.  

“The only reason no-cut events are a big deal is because LIV has come along. There’s been no-cut events since I’ve been a member of the tour and way beyond that as well. 

“Is there maybe going to be a few more of them? Maybe. That’s still TBD by the way. That’s not been decided yet. But if we do go down that path there’s precedent there to argue for no-cut events. 

“It keeps the stars there for four days. You ask Mastercard or whoever it is to pay $20 million for a golf event, they want to see the stars at the weekend. They want a guarantee that the stars are there. So, if that’s what needs to happen, then that’s what happens.” 

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