‘Our Job Is Not to Run the Tour’: Rory McIlroy Given a Stern Pep Talk by Ryder Cup Teammate

“I just want to get back to being a golfer and playing golf,” said 34-year-old Rory McIlroy as he shed light on what prompted him to step down from the PGA Tour Policy Board. Honestly speaking, it wouldn’t have been an easy resolution. But even so, he managed to find the courage to make the decision that someone in his position would have a hard time doing, all thanks to his family and friends, especially a fellow Irish pro and a Ryder Cup teammate.

McIlroy’s colleague took to an episode of a podcast on Fore Play to share his views on the noises surrounding the business part of golf, namely the deal between SSG, PGAT, and PIF. However, while doing so, he also divulged the austere advice that he dished out to the Northern Irishman to persuade him to continue playing the “incredible” golf he has been displaying over the years.

PGA Tour pro divulges the strict advice he gave Rory McIlroy

Shane Lowry, in the podcast titled Shane Lowry & Sun Day Red, pointed out how “these businessmen know what they’re doing,” while alluding to the recent deal and the upcoming merger. “They know how to spend money and… how to use their money wisely,” said the 36-year-old as he highlighted how the SSG, PIF, and concerned people on the circuit should take care of business matters.

He said, “I think our job is to play golf,” as he underlined what a golfer’s main focus should be. Adding on, the 1X major champ recounted the advice he gave McIlroy over the last six months or a year, “Our job is not to run the tour around.” Doubling down on his counseling, Lowry told him, “Rory, your job is to play golf and try to win tournaments” all the while dubbing it as nothing short of “incredible” while pointing out how well he has played over the last two years.

From 2021 to date, the Northern Irishman has carded a total of 23 top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour, including five victories. Moreover, his DP World Tour record includes three more wins, the last of which came in January at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. This has helped him maintain his T2 position on the Official World Golf Rankings for a long time.

The Irish pro had urged McIlroy to focus on his gameplay many times over the past year. What’s more, he had voiced his support for the 34-year-old when he resigned from the PGA Tour Policy Board as well.

Lowry backs up McIlroy’s resignation

In an interview with Golf Digest, the 6X DPWT champ said, “I think Rory is right to do what he has done.” Continuing on with his support, Lowry mentioned how he had been able to witness what McIlroy had been going through for the past couple of years, all the while shining light on the fact that “not that everything has gone his way.”

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Adding on, he shared the reality of being a member of the Policy Board. He recalled how the golfer had to spare a lot of time off for meetings with board members and other players as part of his responsibility. Interestingly, he had even termed being part of PAC as not being worth it. “Rory, why bother?” Lowry used to ask him. “he’s got every material thing he is ever going to need. All he wants is to win more Majors. So that’s all he should focus on.” Well, it appears all those urgings finally got to the Northern Irishman’s head, as he sure did decide to focus more on golf in the end.

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