Rory McIlroy trying to win FedExCup for second season in a row and for record-extending fourth time in his profession; Ulsterman to begin Tour Championship three strokes behind FedExCup chief Scottie Scheffler – watch stay on Sky Sports activities Golf from 5pm on Thursday
Final Up to date: 23/08/23 5:46pm
Rory McIlroy was the PGA Tour’s unofficial spokesperson within the feud with LIV Golf however is now ‘much less invested’ in off-course affairs
Rory McIlroy says he’s now much less “emotionally concerned” in off-course affairs as he appears to win the profitable FedExCup Playoffs for a fourth time and second in as many seasons.
Defending champion McIlroy will begin the series-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta three strokes behind Scottie Scheffler within the battle for the $18m high prize.
The Ulsterman’s victory in 2022 got here amid his function as unofficial spokesperson for the PGA Tour in its battle with LIV Golf – a rivalry that has eased with the American circuit and the DP World Tour merging with Saudi Arabia’s Public Funding Fund.
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PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan says there isn’t any motive why the merger between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf will not be accomplished earlier than the top of the yr.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan says there isn’t any motive why the merger between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf will not be accomplished earlier than the top of the yr.
Forward of the Tour Championship, which is stay on Sky Sports activities Golf from 5pm on Thursday, McIlroy mentioned: “(I am) possibly much less emotionally concerned. Final yr it was to do with how can we make the product of the PGA Tour higher and I feel I used to be actually invested in that.
“In the case of governance and funding and all that, it is not that I do not care about it, but it surely would not excite me as a lot as making the product higher and the way can we make this essentially the most aggressive panorama to play skilled golf and the way can we get all the perfect gamers to play collectively.
“I am on the board and I’ve to be concerned and every time one thing’s dropped at the desk I am going to vote on it sure or no. However, yeah, possibly simply not as emotionally engaged on all of this different stuff.
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“I feel final yr, I used to be most likely energised by every little thing that was happening on the planet of golf.
“I felt like we have been possibly in a bit extra of a state of flux. I sat up right here at this desk today final yr speaking about designated occasions and getting all the perfect gamers to play collectively and all that stuff.
“I keep in mind this time final yr being on a board name at 7.30 within the morning on the Tuesday making an attempt to get all that stuff ratified and get it handed by way of the board.
McIlroy is trying to win the FedExCup for a fourth time and second in as many seasons
“I have been capable of focus a bit bit extra simply on golf and my recreation and even capable of take two days at residence between Chicago and right here, attending to spend a while with the women. That is been very nice.”
Scheffler: Tour Championship format ‘a bit bizarre’
Because the participant with essentially the most FedExCup factors from the common season, Scheffler begins the Tour Championship on 10 below par.
Viktor Hovland will start in second place on eight below after surging up the standings by successful the BMW Championship on Sunday following a run of seven birdies on his again 9.
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Viktor Hovland surged to victory on the BMW Championship with seven birdies on his again 9
Viktor Hovland surged to victory on the BMW Championship with seven birdies on his again 9
On the Tour Championship format, Scheffler mentioned:” This event is a bit bit bizarre as a result of there’s beginning strokes and I would not say that it’s the greatest format to establish the perfect golfer for the yr.
“Jon Rahm performed a few of the greatest golf of anyone this yr and he is coming into this event fourth and he is 4 photographs again.
“In idea, he might have received 20 occasions this yr and he would solely have a two-shot lead.
“I really feel like I’ve joked a good quantity about being (world) No 1 that means you do not get any additional strokes and also you present up this week and I do get some additional strokes. It’s kind of unusual, but it surely must be a enjoyable week.”
Watch the Tour Championship stay on Sky Sports activities Golf from 5pm on Thursday, with protection persevering with by way of to Sunday. Stream the PGA Tour and extra for £26 a month for 12 months with NOW.