McIlroy backs DP World Tour decision to bar LIV Golf players

Rory McIlroy is currently second in the Race to Dubai standings behind Patrick Reed, with only a handful of tournaments remaining. | Photo Credit: Reuters

Six-time major champion Rory McIlroy has backed the DP World Tour’s decision to bar players who sign up for LIV Golf from competing in its events from next year.

“The DP World Tour (known earlier as the European Tour) are well within their rights to change the rules and regulations. This is the way to protect their business and to make the tour as strong as possible,” McIlroy said at a press conference here on the eve of the DP World India Championship.

In a statement to the BBC, DP World Tour chief executive Guy Kinnings said, “Players need to make a choice” — an ultimatum to those contemplating their future in the rival league, which is now facing financial turmoil.

A vocal critic of LIV Golf, McIlroy added, “The DP World Tour have made a good decision. The golf landscape has now got to the point where guys are going to have to make a decision on what is important to them and what they really want to do.”

One of the modern greats of the game, the Northern Irishman may have achieved almost everything there is to achieve on the golf course, but his hunger for success remains undiminished.

McIlroy spoke of his desire to win the Race to Dubai — the season-long competition to crown the European Tour’s leading player — for a record eighth time. He is currently second in the standings behind Patrick Reed, with only a handful of tournaments remaining.

“At this stage of my career, it’s always nice to get to this part of the season and have a chance to win the Race to Dubai. Eugenio (Chacarra) jumped me last week in Spain. Patrick isn’t playing so well, so this is a really good opportunity to cut into that lead this week to try and win my eighth Race to Dubai,” he said.

The 37-year-old has little intention of easing up. With another Ryder Cup on the horizon next year, McIlroy is already looking ahead.

“It’s a Ryder Cup year next year. I want to make that team. I want to contribute. I want to earn more points for Europe. The bulk of our play is in North America (on the PGA Tour), and I still want to do well over there. I have a lot of plates spinning, which is a good thing. No matter where I play, I have always got something to strive for or achieve,” he said.