The Tour Championship has yet to find its ideal format. At least, it hasn’t found a formula that everyone agrees on. Since the emergence of the FedEx Cup in 2007, countless changes have been made in pursuit of a system that pleases everyone. To this day, there’s no way.
In all, or almost all, of those conversations, Rory McIlroy has been involved. The Northern Irishman, the only player to have won the Final three times, has long been outspoken, with his own voice and personality, whether people like it or not. Therefore, today, Tuesday, he didn’t hesitate to admit that, despite the criticism he has received, he liked the system of added strokes before the FedEx final according to the ranking. And he explains. “I must be one of the few who didn’t dislike that formula. I think those who play better during the season should have an advantage. However, many were not happy with that — players, fans… —. I was on the PAC (players’ council) when we discussed how to simplify that advantage; we no longer wanted to see calculations on a board. You could say that if it had been starting strokes this week, with what Scottie has done, maybe his advantage wouldn’t have been enough,” he points out.
Rory liked the final with pre-assigned strokes, even though the system didn’t work well for him. “For one reason or another, I never got to the very top, so I always started at a disadvantage. This year the outlook is much better because he started tied with everyone. In a way, it’s an advantage for me,” he acknowledges.
One of the ideas that has gained traction in recent months has been the possibility of playing the FedEx Final in match play format. McIlroy admits it was studied and explains why it was dismissed. “Other formats were debated, even match play, but changing right at the end of the season didn’t convince us, as stroke play is always the format. Maybe they’ll reconsider it, I don’t know. But for now, it’s a 72-hole stroke play event, like week to week,” he states.
Rory also referred to the new PGA Tour calendar, made official this Tuesday, taking advantage of the Tour Championship preview. Asked if he would skip any Designated events, as happened this year, the Northern Irishman hasn’t ruled it out and took the opportunity to take a jab at LIV Golf. “I always review the calendar to see what fits with me, my family, and my projects outside of golf. I had to skip some this year, maybe fewer next year, maybe the same. It’s the luxury of being a PGA TOUR player: you can choose,” he noted in a veiled reference to the fact that LIV golfers are contractually obligated to play the 14 tournaments on their calendar.
He also referred several times to the Masters Tournament and the Grand Slam. Rory admitted that he has bought 1,100 Masters flags to sign and give away to various commitments. (1,100 is the maximum they allowed him to buy). Additionally, he revealed that he never signs the flag in the centre, that is, within the map of Augusta. Regarding the Green Jacket, he recalled that on the Sunday of winning the Masters, he didn’t take it off until he went to bed past three in the morning, and that waking up the next day and seeing it on the chair made him truly aware of what he had done. He doesn’t wear it much, although he keeps it in a place that’s always visible. Similarly, he mentioned that he has three games already committed in Augusta before the next edition of the Masters. “Two are with friends and one with my father, who couldn’t be there the day I won. They are days to enjoy the course, the scenery, the trees, the sounds… All of that.”
