In-form McIlroy denies trying to prove a point
WORLD No.2 Rory McIlroy insists he is not playing to prove a point with the PGA Tour facing the biggest threat in its history from the LIV Golf Invitational Series.
The Northern Irishman won the Canadian Open a fortnight ago and contended at last week’s US Open – eventually finishing joint fifth – before equalling his lowest opening round on the American tour yesterday with a bogey-free 62 at the Travelers Championship in Connecticut.
His eight-under-par score gave him the early clubhouse lead, just one shot ahead of Olympic gold medallist Xander Schauffele and Scotland’s Martin Laird, and maintained his recent good form but the 33-year-old dismissed suggestions the ructions caused by the Saudi-backed breakaway had helped him up his game.
“I just think it so happens that the most protective of the PGA Tour are the best players in the world right now,” he said. “I’m not going out to try to prove anything to anyone. I’m in a good run of form. I’m playing well. Whether that gives me a little more confidence to speak up on certain issues, maybe, but I’m just going out there trying to play my game and trying to win some more tournaments.”
On the eve of the tournament, and in response to the growing LIV threat which saw four-time Major winner Brooks Koepka decamp on Wednesday, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan announced a combined increased purse size of almost $60 million at eight tournaments next year.
The schedule will also revert to a calendar year with the FedEx Cup season now running from January to August.
McIlroy welcomed the changes and asked whether he thought it would make a difference to players considering making the switch to LIV, he added: “As he [Monahan] said, there’s only one reason that the guys are going to the other side, and it’s because they have an opportunity to make more money. Even though [world No.1 and Masters champion] Scottie Scheffler has made $13m this season and it’s only June.
“There’s opportunities to make a lot of money out here but like everything always has been in golf, it has to be earned.
“Some of these changes to the schedule and some of these increases in prize funds I’m sure [will cause] some guys that were thinking about it to think twice and maybe reconsider their decision.”
Elsewhere, China’s Li Haotong equalled his careerbest round and also the course record with a 10-under-par 62 to take a one-stroke lead in the BMW International Open in Munich. Dutchman Daan Huizing carded nine birdies later in the day to sit second.
Meanwhile, two-time Major winner In Gee Chun equalled the lowest opening round in Women’s PGA Championship history and set a course record at Congressional Country Club with a brilliant 64.
The 27-year-old posted the early lead at eight under par with her nearest challengers in the clubhouse all seven shots back.