Rory McIlroy cannot see any reason why someone would want to join a controversial breakaway golf tour backed by money from Saudi Arabia.
According to The Telegraph, 11 players - including Dustin Johnson, Justin Rose, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Henrik Stenson, Adam Scott and Rickie Fowler - have been offered contracts of between $30m - $50m to join the Premier Golf League. It's said that Phil Mickelson has been offered $100m to lead the rebellion.
Commissioner Jay Monaghan told players on Tuesday that anyone joining the league could be suspended and possibly face expulsion from the PGA Tour.
Rory McIlroy dismisses Premier Golf League
According to multiple sources @PGATOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan told players Tuesday night at @WellsFargoGolf that any player joining the Saudi-backed golf league will face immediate suspension and possible expulsion from the PGA Tour. Monahan taking this threat seriously.
— Todd Lewis (@ToddLewisGC) May 5, 2021
"They first contacted me back in 2014, so this is seven years down the line and nothing has really changed," McIlroy said on Wednesday ahead of the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow.
"Maybe the source of the money's changed or the people that are in charge have changed, but nothing has happened. No sponsorship deals, no media deals, no players have signed up, no manufacturers have signed up. There's been so many iterations at this point.
"You go back to what happened last week in Europe with the European Super League. People can see it for what it is, which is a money grab, which is fine if that's what you're playing golf for is to make as much money as possible. Totally fine, then go and do that if that's what makes you happy.
"But I think the top players in the game, I'm just speaking my own personal beliefs, like I'm playing this game to try to cement my place in history and my legacy and to win major championships and to win the biggest tournaments in the world. That's why I'm playing this game.
"Golf has been very good to me, obviously, over the years by playing in Europe starting off, coming over to the PGA Tour and playing here. I honestly don't think there's a better structure in place in golf, and I don't think there will be.
"I think you all know my feelings on it, and I'm very much against it. I don't see why anyone would be for it."
Two-time @WellsFargoGolf winner @McIlroyRory speaks with the media at Quail Hollow Club. https://t.co/7czzp53CDx
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 5, 2021
Picture credit: Gary Yee / Shutterstock.com
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