The most active spokesperson of the PGA Tour, Rory McIlroy, resigned from his position as player director of the PGA Tour policy board last Tuesday. All the more, this news came as a shocker to the golf world, given that he dropped no previous hints. But finally, the four-time major winner spilled the beans on why he went ahead with such a huge decision.
The Northern Irishman stated “personal and professional commitment” to be the top-most reasons for his sudden decision in an interview after the opening round of the DP World Tour Championship currently underway in Dubai. Furthermore, he added, “I just think I’ve got a lot going on in my life between my golf game, my family and my growing investment portfolio, my involvement in TGL [an indoor golf league], and I just felt like something had to give.”
🗣️ “Something had to give”
Rory McIlroy explains why he has resigned from the PGA Tour’s policy board ⛳ pic.twitter.com/MhCY0C1neO
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 16, 2023
McIlroy blatantly stated his priorities: “I just didn’t feel like I could commit the time and the energy into doing that. I don’t mind being busy, but I just like being busy doing my own stuff”. Then, he continued talking about how the PGA Tour policy board is in good hands and that it was the right time for him “to step off”.
While PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan respectfully accepted his decision and showed gratitude for his contributions, seemingly the golf community is not supportive of this sudden choice and the reason behind it.
Fans Not Buying Into Rory McIlroy and His Reasons To Quit His Role
Although Rory McIlroy’s reasons to back out of his PGA Tour policy board role might’ve been sensible to many, evidently the fans are not buying his reasons and are considering these as mere excuses to escape.
A fan lashed out as his perception of Rory as the leader of the PGA Tour changed.
‘I like been busy doing my own stuff’
I thought Rory was the leader of the golf world? For the greater good and all that nonsense.
— Richard Harvey (@dickyyorkshire) November 16, 2023
This guy is a fraud.
— icantthinkofaname (@katemarylou) November 16, 2023
He’s joining the liv tour
— david saint (@gingerantiques) November 17, 2023
He’s not good enough
— Flick Scores (@flickscores) November 16, 2023
He shouldn’t have resigned. Wishing him best ahead
— YaRoN_kUdU💪🏼 (@UmaarKudu) November 16, 2023
Put a cork in it!
— LostRaceOfMars (@qed57) November 16, 2023
Very funny
— GreenQueen (@favlady12) November 16, 2023
Apart from the negative comments, he also got a few supporters who backed him for his abrupt move.
A fan seems to be respectful of the player’s decision and is supportive of it.
It’s his own decision
— MANDOWN 😮💨 😮💨 (@sefwiniga) November 16, 2023
That’s right
— itzgerardjnr (@ikemgerardjnr) November 16, 2023
A fan made a guess that the signing of the merger was the reason for Rory’s resignation, given that he was not happy with it.
Wonder if it’s to do with the LIV Golf merger…even Rory seems bemused it happened
— Andrew Webb (@THENUNEATONFOX) November 16, 2023
“Jay M. used me like a mechanic uses a power tool. I should be humiliated but I’m too naive and immature to understand. So I will just keep talking.”
— Magic Realism (@Dishlocation) November 16, 2023
It’s clear that McIlroy feels strongly about the direction of the PGA Tour, and his resignation may be a sign of things to come.
— حنيف (@Hanneeif) November 16, 2023
Rory McIlroy has given his justification for the decision, but quite explicitly, fans are unwilling to let go of this with such vague explanations. As the PGA Tour gears up to finalize the framework agreement, McIlroy’s sudden resignation from his role at such a pivotal time seems a little off, given the bold stance and loyalty that the golfer has shown towards the tour in the past.
