Rory McIlroy has already come out publicly and stated he’s not jumping to the proposed Premier Golf League if it ever comes to fruition.
In an interview with Golf Channel on Thursday after opening with a 66 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, McIlroy reiterated his stance while adding that he’s bothered by the league’s financial backing. The league’s CEO, Andrew Gardiner, has said in interviews that the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia is one of the sources of funding. The Public Investment Fund invests on behalf of the Saudi government.
“You’re going to be contracted to play 18 events, they’re going to tell you where and when you should be there, and as a golfer and an independent contractor I didn’t like the sound of that,” McIlroy said Thursday, “and I didn’t really like where the money was coming from either.”
“I wanted to be the first one to speak out against it. I’m glad that I have. I’m glad that I’ve done that.”
While many of his colleagues have no issue cashing the checks earned from the Saudi International, the world No. 1 has been the first player to speak out against the PGL. He’s expressed his opinion – and we’ll see if it’s an argument others get behind or if like Phil Mickelson they’ll be intrigued by what the PGL promises.
“I like to have that autonomy and freedom over my career, and I feel like I would give that up by going to play this other league,” McIlroy said in Mexico City last month.
Social media critics point out that McIlroy doesn’t need the PGL’s money, but that’s not the point. It’s his candor and willingness to take the lead that we’ll remember long after proposals of the PGL are forgotten.
