Rory McIlroy says DP World Tour players can't be left in Division 3 by PGA Tour shake up

Starting in 2028, the PGA Tour will move to its new two-tier structure, with the membership categories having now been announced by the circuit’s CEO, Brian Rolapp.

The bulk of the Championship Series membership will be the top 90 players who retain their status, with a further 20 securing promotion from the Challenger Series.

In addition, a Last Chance series of a minimum of four events will offer three cards for the Championship Series the following year.

What remains to be decided, though, is what will be on offer from the DP World Tour through its Strategic Alliance with the PGA Tour, with the likelihood that the ten cards currently up for grabs will be halved for the Championship Series.

With no provision at all having been specifically made for returning LIV Golf players, the likes of Jon Rahm, Cameron Smith and Tyrrell Hatton might have to rely on taking the DP World Tour route to get back on the PGA Tour.

“No, I don't think so,” said McIlroy, speaking at a pre-BMW PGA Championship press conference at Wentworth on Tuesday, in reply to being asked if a vagueness about the situation for DP World Tour players is something that members should be worried about.

“I just think it's a conversation about how the PGA Tour's structure has changed. There were ten cards that were given out from the DP World Tour. I guess from my point of view I don't see any reason why a DP World Tour player would go to the Challenger Series. I don't see that as an upward move in your career. I see it as a very lateral move.

Discussion around ‘how many cards is reasonable’

“So it would just be, ‘okay, how many cards is reasonable to give to the DP World Tour for the Championship Series?’ I would imagine that's what the ongoing discussions are.”

Bob MacIntyre secured his PGA Tour step up through finishing in the top ten in the 2021 Race to Dubai, with the Oban man going on to win twice on the PGA Tour - the RBC Canadian Open and Genesis Scottish Open - in 2024.

“I'm a dual member,” added McIlroy, “and, I mean, you're really trying to create something on this tour (the DP World Tour) that is a viable alternative to the Challenger Series. Obviously this is going to be a pathway to the Championship Series.

“No one's going to argue that the Championship Series is going to be the highest level of tour golf that you can play, and then it's just deciding what an adequate number of cards is to go from here to the Championship Series.”

It was put to McIlroy that, for a DP World Tour player, the Challenger Series could be seen as Division 3. “Yeah, I just don't see it as an upward move in your career,” he opined. “You would only give the opportunity to DP World Tour members if they were progressing in their career, and I don't see the Challenger Tour as a progression from the DP World Tour, and I would say a lot of players would feel similarly here.”

Rolapp was asked by the DP World Tour position in a press conference on Tuesday. “Discussions are ongoing,” he said. “The spirit of those conversations are very productive. Both sides are trying to think creatively about how we modify and improve the relationship we have. Hopefully in the not-too-distant future, we'll have more to say about that.”

When Brooks Koepka was handed a return to the PGA Tour earlier this year after deciding his time was up with LIV Golf, the five-time winner agreed to make a $5 million charitable donation. The same terms were offered to Rahm, Smith and Bryson DeChambeau due to their major status, but all three decided to stick with the breakaway circuit.

LIV Golf’s future has since been cast in doubt following the decision by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund to withdraw its substantial funding, with Rolapp insisting that no new deals are being considered.

“There are really three things when it comes to anyone who wants to compete on the PGA Tour,” he said. “One, the PGA Tour is built on meritocracy. Every player, whether they are a member or want to become one, must earn their place.

Two, we are a membership organisation; we have rules, and those rules exist for lots of reasons, including fairness and competitive balance. Rules matter, and they must be enforced.

“Which brings me to number three, accountability and discipline. These are essential elements for any sports league and are certainly for the integrity of the PGA Tour and the sport. It's what holds the Tour together. Those are guiding principles for us.

“In terms of where we are today, we are not currently contemplating a returning-member programme like the one you saw in January. Everyone at the PGA Tour, myself included, has been focused on what is best for the organisation. The items approved by the boards yesterday are part of the progression in building the optimal competitive model for the future.”

Rahm, who is also playing in this week’s Rolex Series event at Wentworth, was asked once again about his LIV Golf future. “Well, there's a long legal process they have to go through before a lot of things fall into place,” said the Spaniard. “Until this current season is done, I really won't be able to give you an answer.”