‘That’s A Shame’: Hours Before the PGA Championship, Rory McIlroy Voices Strong Displeasure Over Impending Danger

Only a few hours are left to go before the 105th edition of the PGA Championship kicks off. From Jon Rahm to Brooks Koepka to Rory McIlroy, the biggest names in golf will be headlining the event at New York’s Oak Hill Country Club soon.

World No. 3 Rory McIlroy will be under considerable limelight this week, given his missed cut at the Masters last month. But, just hours before the event, the 34-year-old conveyed a unique regret concerning the year’s second major.

Rory McIlroy believes PGA Championship has lost some of its edge

Before 2019, the one and only time the PGA Championship had taken place in May was way back in 1949. Until four years ago, the event was often called the “Glory’s Last Shot,” as it used to be the season’s final major. But the hunt for improved ratings saw the tournament being moved from August to May, where it now sits between the Masters and the U.S. Open.

So, what does the Northern Irish golfer think of the change in the schedule? Does he enjoy appearing in the tournament in May? Speaking to the press ahead of the event, McIlroy said, “The only thing about May is that, maybe in the future, it’ll start to exclude places like this in the northeast to host this championship [because of colder weather], so that’s a shame.”

The 2-time Wanamaker trophy winner further shared his love for the country’s northwestern part, saying, “I love the golf courses up here, and I love the tradition.”

While the golfer doesn’t think that the PGA Championship has lost its identity, he expressed that being the last major of the year once lent it “a little bit of something that it doesn’t quite have right now.”

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McIlroy has had 14 appearances in the PGA Championship so far, winning the title in 2012 and 2014. He is a part of the 156-players field this year, which also includes 18 LIV golfers. The 4-time major winner has aimed many jibes at LIV in the past but has since softened his stance on the Saudi-funded league.

Greg Norman pleased as Rory McIlroy changes his stance on LIV Golf

The 2023 Masters was a resounding success, and the rivalry between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf factions was one of the biggest reasons for the same. With over a dozen LIV players appearing in the PGA Championship, fans’ expectations are once again through the roof. But what does PGA Tour loyalist Rory McIlroy think of the rival league?

Over the past year, the former World No. 1 has taken many swipes at LIV. Even retired pro-golfer and LIV CEO Greg Norman couldn’t escape his sharp criticism. Earlier this year, however, McIlroy surprised many as he ended up taking a different stance. “It already has had significant relevance because it’s made the PGA Tour innovate and adapt,” he had told BBC Northern Ireland about LIV in March.

His words satisfied Norman, who recently told the publication that he was glad about the golfer’s changed stance on LIV. On the other hand, some of the biggest names from LIV appearing this week include the likes of Brooks Koepka, Cameron Smith, and Phil Mickelson, among others.

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So, do you agree with Rory McIlroy’s stance on the current PGA Championship schedule? Who do you think will claim the Wanamaker trophy this year? Let us know your pick in the comments below.