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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Sport
Gareth Fullerton

What is the Premier Golf League and why is Rory McIlroy against it?

Talk of a new Premier Golf League continues at pace, despite Rory McIlroy appearing to rule himself out of the breakaway competition.

The proposals for the circuit - which were detailed last month - would radically change the golfing landscape.

Tiger Woods confirmed he has been approached and admitted: "We're still looking at it."

Meanwhile, Justin Rose also said that the proposed circuit remains a major topic of conversation.

But what is it all about, and what has Rory McIlroy said?

Here's some detail...

What are the proposals?

The Premier Golf League would see forty-eight players competing in an 18-event season offering a total prize fund of USD 240million (£183m).

The circuit has been proposed by the British-based World Golf Group.

What would the format of tournaments be?

The tournaments would be 54 holes rather than the traditional 72, and there would be an individual and team league format, with the weekly individual winner claiming USD 2million (£1.5m) of the USD10million (£7.5m) purse.

When would it start?

The circuit would start in 2022 if it gets the go-ahead.

What has Rory said?

In a press conference ahead of the WGC-Mexico Championship, McIlroy told reporters: "The more I've thought about it the more I don't like it. For me, I'm out."

He added: "The one thing as a professional golfer in my position that I value is the fact that I have autonomy and freedom over everything that I do.

"This is a perfect example. Some guys this week made the choice not to come to Mexico. If you go and play in this other golf league you're not going to have that choice.

"I read a thing the other day that said if you take the money they can tell you what to do, so if you don't take the money they can't tell you what to do.

"I think that's my thing - I've never been one for being told what to do and I like to have that autonomy and freedom over my career and I feel I would give that up by going to play this other league."

He also said: "My position is I'm against it until there may come a day when I can't be against it," the four-time major winner added.

"If everyone else goes I mightn't have a choice but at this point I don't like what they're proposing.

"It's very split at the minute I think."

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