MCILROY WANTS 'CHAMPIONS LEAGUE' GOLF
The Straits Times|January 19, 2024
World No. 2 says game can move forward by emulating football’s elite club competition
MCILROY WANTS 'CHAMPIONS LEAGUE' GOLF

Rory McIlroy has never been shy to share his vision for golf, and European football's top-tier club competition has served as a model for his "Champions League" idea pitched for the future of his sport.

The Northern Irishman, a Manchester United fan, was in Dubai to defend his Dubai Desert Classic title, and he talked about a world tour with the best players challenged by the best from other tours.

"The way I view it is a bit like the Champions League in football," the four-time Major champion said.

"It's like the best of the best in Europe, and then all of the other leagues feed into it.

"There's lots of different tours getting interest and a lot of great players, but if you want to create something that is of real value for the game of golf, I think it's this top-level tour and then all the other tours feed into it."

The world's best golfers would then have to maintain excellence to stay at the top, while players in tiers below would have to earn their way in.

Mcllroy, previously a vocal opponent of LIV Golf, has reconsidered his position and can envision its usefulness.

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