‘We Have to Be There’: Despite Calling Rory McIlroy’s $3,000,000 a ‘Tough Situation, Xander Schauffele Provides His Verdict on Him ‘Dropping Out’

Recently, Rory McIlroy broke the internet when news of him suffering a huge fine flooded the streets. From golf fans to his PGA Tour colleagues, many had their opinions about the matter. While some argue that it was too harsh a move, others argue that it was necessary. And Xander Schauffele stood with the latter. He recently boldly sided with the Tour in the matter of the huge penalty.

Xander Schauffele backs up the PGA Tour against Rory McIlroy

Just days after his saddening early exit from the Masters, McIlroy announced his withdrawal from this week’s Tour event, the RBC Heritage. Considering that it was his second elevated event skip of the season, and pros are only allowed one, the Tour slapped the Irishman with a hefty $3 million fine. This amounted to a quarter of his last year’s $12 million PIP bonus.

Read More – ‘Doesn’t Matter Who You Are’: Rory McIlroy’s $3,000,000 Fine Forces Justin Thomas to Express His Sentiments Along With Fellow PGA Tour Pro

The substantial fine enraged many in the golf world. Fans and even pros found it to be quite a harsh penalty. But not Schauffele! He didn’t share the others’ mindset and, in fact, was empathetic to the tour. “If you talk about the repercussions… it should be a pretty harsh penalty,” he stated as per Golf Digest’s recent report. 

The 7-time PGA Tour winner explained that the consequences of such incidents were high, like “a future sponsor being concerned about more people dropping out.” He believed that the top Tour players owed it to the sponsors to show up at the events. “Because we have to be there to have the highest TV ratings, to have the highest purses,” he explained. “It’s a tough situation.”

Schauffele understands the Tour’s perspective

The PGA Tour star claimed that the situation was certainly troubling and that he understood “both sides.” But while he could see why people thought the fine was unfair, he was also empathetic with the Tour. “This is all such a new space,” he stated. “No one had [skipped two designated events] before, so they’re [the PGA Tour] probably trying to figure out what the right thing to do is.”

Schauffele did not doubt that the Tour would relay the information to them once a firm decision was reached. “I’m sure once they have, it will be communicated to us,” he said. Clearly, the Tour loyalist has great faith in them and also trusts their judgment.

Watch This Story – Rory McIlroy Makes a Staggering Confession About the PGA Tour

What do you think about the hefty penalty McIlroy incurred? Do you side with Schauffele and think it was fair? Or with the others who deem it to have gone too far? Let us know in the comments below.