The DP World Tour released the shocking news of Keith Pelley stepping down from the CEO’s post. The 60-year-old has been with the Tour since 2015 and has made many impactful decisions for the league, from taking DP World as the partner to the shot clock introduction, Pelley was an admiring leader for the league.

He will now join Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment as the fifth president and CEO of the Canada-based org. As he served precious eight years at the league, prominent golfers Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy shared their honest thoughts about his move. The 4x major champion felt happy for Pelly for various reasons, whereas Fleetwood said, “he’ll be missed.”

Rory McIlroy is elated for Keith Pelley’s next chapter

Rory McIlroy is currently playing at the Dubai Invitational. The 16x DP World Tour winner is currently leading the scoreboard after two rounds. At the post-match press conference, McIlroy was asked about his thoughts on Keith Pelley leaving the CEO position of the European Tour.

McIlroy said, “I’m happy for him. I think the job he’s going to is one that he’s probably wanted for a long, long time, being from Canada, especially Toronto.” As Pelley is a Canadian national, the change of position makes it much more special for him, as he will be returning to serve his country’s sports front. The Northern Irishman found it “wonderful” as Pelley will be running two major sports, hockey and basketball, in Canada.

Like McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood was also asked about his thoughts about Pelley leaving the European Tour. The world number fifteen was happy yet evoked an emotional side as Pelley stepped down from the DP World Tour’s leadership.

Tommy Fleetwood wishes Pelley the best for the future

Tommy Fleetwood was a bit emotional about Pelley’s departure from the league compared to McIlroy, hinting that he was closer to him. He said, “He’ll be missed,” adding that he has been a “big figure” for the DPWT for the past eight years. The 6x DPWT winner described their closeness and said that he is “very happy for him with what he’s got to look forward to; he’s going back home, and that will be great for him.”

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Moreover, Fleetwood recounted Pelley’s strong leadership for the last few years, hoped he would be happy, and wished him “all the best” for the future.

With so many changes already taking place in the golf world, it would be exciting to see how Pelley’s stepping down would affect the European Tour and the historic $3 billion merger! But one thing that seems to be in place is that he will surely be missed by European pros.

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