Rory McIlroy on PGA Tour: ‘47-50 Events Is Too Many’

Rory McIlroy believes golf fans may become overwhelmed by the sheer number of events available, suggesting the PGA Tour has “too many” tournaments. The 35-year-old Northern Irish golfer, a vocal critic of LIV Golf and co-founder of Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL), acknowledged that the PGA Tour’s traditional appeal has been diminished by increasing competition including the rise of YouTube golf content.

McIlroy compared golf’s oversaturation to the NFL’s more streamlined 17-game season, arguing that reducing the number of events could increase demand. “I can see when the golf consumer might get a little fatigued,” he said, adding that “47 or 50 tournaments a year is definitely too many.” As he prepares for his 2025 PGA Tour debut at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, McIlroy cautioned against altering the sport too much in an attempt to broaden its appeal.

“Golf has been this way for hundreds of years,” he said. “I really like the way golf is, and I think a lot of other people do, too.” While he acknowledged calls for improvements in entertainment value, he maintained that golf should stay true to its traditions. One ongoing issue in professional golf is slow play, though McIlroy admitted there are no simple solutions.

As a limited-field event, Pebble Beach will feature only 80 players which could help with pace of play but would reduce opportunities for others. He suggested that smaller fields and better spacing of tee times could improve the situation but noted that “not every answer is going to make everyone happy.” Ultimately, Rory McIlroy emphasized the importance of balancing tradition with innovation while ensuring the game remains engaging without losing its essence.