News

Rory McIlroy ready to commit to European Tour after crisis talks with Keith Pelley

Published

7 years ago

Dec 18, 2018

Last month, news emerged that Rory McIlroy was set to give up his European Tour card, but it now looks as if the Irishman has had a change of heart.

European Tour boss, Keith Pelley, is said to have flown to Belfast for crisis talks with the four-time major winner, and McIlroy is now ready to commit to an additional two European Tour events in 2019 to secure his card.

The 29-year-old had not been set to feature on the European Tour in 2019 until July, but there is now an excellent chance that McIlroy will compete in an event in the middle east in January, and it also opens up the possibility for him to feature at the Irish Open in July.

McIlroy had previously come under fire from some quarters, including Paul McGinley who is on the European Tour board, for what they felt was disloyalty to the European Tour. The four-time major champ’s remark that “Next year, I am looking out for me” did little to improve relations, but it appears as if McIlroy, as he has done in the past, has backed down from his original headstrong position.

In 2016, the 29-year-old was backed into a corner over who he would choose to represent at the Olympic Games. McIlroy eventually declared for Ireland, but later withdrew from the games, and then took a swipe at those who were disappointed with the move, claiming, “it’s not my responsibility to grow the game.”

It appears that this latest U-turn from McIlroy continues the trend of the 29-year-old opting to temper his original views or intentions in the face of pressure.

GolfWRXers, do you feel McIlroy should be more mindful in his pressers or do you find his honesty refreshing?

Let us know what you think!

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Gianni Magliocco

Gianni is the Managing Editor at GolfWRX. He can be contacted at [email protected]

7 Comments

BAR

Dec 19, 2018 at 4:15 pm

I feel like those “crisis talks” included some pretty sensational perks. The schedules changed dramatically for 2019 and he can make a fortune in the states, playing against a field he feels is more competitive. I don’t think he “owes” anything to the European Tour, but if he can slip in two more events to maintain his card, that sounds pretty reasonable. Euro Tour would lose a HUGE celebrity if he stopped playing, so it’s in their best interest to incentivize his participation, in whatever form that would take.

On the topic of “do you feel McIlroy should be more mindful in his pressers or do you find his honesty refreshing?” I feel like journalists in the audience need to call players out more. I know that could have significant professional repercussions, but when a golfer criticizes a course for being “unfair” – i.e. Ian “Pouter” or when Rors says he’s finally got his driver dialled in but it doesn’t matter because he’s going to have to replace it on Monday with “something new”, I feel like there needs to be some probing on that kind of stuff to call them out one their own smack talk. How could there not be any strong follow up questions to Rory stating he’s thinking of abandoning his home tour?

Reply Report comment
Point misser

Dec 19, 2018 at 3:02 pm

No one in the USA likes Rory

Reply Report comment
- fukU
  
  Dec 20, 2018 at 1:51 am
  
  I think you are confusing Rory with Point misser, and the USA the universe.
  
  Reply Report comment
JThunder

Dec 18, 2018 at 5:43 pm

“Crisis talks” – dictionary anyone?

Is the European Tour putting all their eggs in one basket, like the entire golf world did with Tiger? We learn nothing from the past.

Reply Report comment
- David
  
  Dec 19, 2018 at 10:23 am
  
  Honesty is always a good thing, unfortunately for Rory his honesty displays his lack of humility and thankfulness for the riches the game of golf has given him. Whether he plays the PGA or Euro tour, doesn’t matter, he should always do what is best for his health and life balance. But if it is for life-balance, then it should be communicated as such, and not stated as if he were a teenage child “looking out for #1”. I personally think he’s a good guy, but definitely lacks that appreciate for all he’s been given by the game of golf.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Willem
    
    Dec 20, 2018 at 12:46 am
    
    World class sportsmen are given raw talent by their genes and hard work (whether it is recognised as such by casual onlookers or not) gives opportunities in the chosen sport. Then, any success comes through sheer mental strength. This is the same in all sports.
    
    I fail to see why any sportsman should appreciate the money or lifestyle or give back to the game. It is their profession and other people (and the tours) make millions off of the players hard work and talent, employ thousands and their efforts entertain hundreds of millions.
    
    I don’t feel I have to give back to my profession. Why should a golfer?
    
    Reply Report comment
- fukU
  
  Dec 20, 2018 at 1:49 am
  
  You mean when the entire golf world put all its eggs in the Tiger basket, and it lead to the largest increase in interest, and participation that the game had ever seen?
  
  Reply Report comment

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open

Published

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GolfWRX Tour Photographer made the trip from the Memorial Tournament across the country to the U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera. Check out links to all the photos below!

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In addition to WITB galleries, we’ve already been treated to an in-hand look at Tommy Fleetwood’s new TaylorMade Spider putters.

Check out links to all our photos below.

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News

Tour Tech Rundown: Heroic Henley

Published

3 days ago

Jun 1, 2026

Ronald Montesano

Around the world, the golf wheel spun this final week in May of 2026. From New Jersey to Austria, with stops in Korea, Texas, and North Carolina (don’t let me route your next trip) the world’s finest put their golf games on display. There were three playoffs, some known commodities and some new talent. It was the sort of week that we hope to have at this point in the seasons. June and July afford double-digit major events, and perhaps, one of this week’s champions will use this success as a springboard to new heights. Time to run it all down, tech style, in this week’s Tour Tech Rundown.

Thanks to WITBHub, Today’s Golfer, GolfWRX, and Inside Tour Golf for initial research into equipment.

PGA Tour @ Charles Schwab Challenge: Heroic Henley denies Cole

Eric Cole did nearly everything that a fellow can do, to secure a first PGA Tour title. He stayed one shot clear of Ryder Cup player Ben Griffin. He kept US Open champion Gary Woodland and wunderkind Michael Brennan two shots distant. He posted 70 on day four to reach twelve under par. And then, Russell Henley revealed his Dr. Strange cloak. Henley made 47 feet of birdie putts on holes 16, 17, and 18, to jump from minus-nine to twelve-deep, and secured a spot in a playoff with Cole. The duo returned to the final tee, and put on a stripe show.

Both golfers found the fairway off the tee, and Henley improved on his regulation play with an approach to four feet. Cole did himself proud, tucking an iron to a dozen feet, but he was unable to convert the putt for three. Henley is one of the best putters on tour, and he proved it once more by draining a putt for a fourth consecutive birdie, and a sixth PGA Tour title. For Eric Cole, that first victory should come, and soon. He has done everything necessary to earn the chalice lift.

Henley’s Suitcase

Driver: Titleist TSi3 at 10 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70g 6.5 TX
Metal: Titleist TS3 at 16.5 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 at 21 degrees. Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT hybrid 100 TX
Iron: Titleist T250 4-iron. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
Irons: Titleist T100 5-6 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
Irons: Titleist T100 7-9 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 48 and 50 degrees. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 54 and 60 degrees. Shaft: rue Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue S400
Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron T5 Tour Prototype

LPGA @ Shoprite LPGA: Welcome back, Celine!

Soo Bin Joo had her eyes on a maiden LPGA title. She held the lead after two rounds, then hit a red light at the intersection of can-I and how-To. Joo posted plus-two on day three in New Jersey, and dropped to a T4 finish, which was still a career-best for the young Korean golfer. Instead of a new face, a familiar face returned to the top of the podium.

Celine Boutier was the It Girl in 2023. She collected four victories, including a major title at Evian. Boutier reached world number one status, then simply faded into the background. No wins came her way over the next 30 months. On Sunday, she collected LPGA victory number seven, at the same trace as LPGA victory number two.

Day three saw Boutier manage the windswept Seaview Bay course with six birdies and a bogey. She was challenged in the end by Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol, who signed for a 66 of her own. Yubol came up one shot shy of the top ladder rung. Finishing in third place at -7, two back of the winner, was Ireland’s Lauren Walsh.

Celine’s Suitcase

Driver: PXG 0311 Black Ops Tour-1 at 9 degrees. Shaft: Graphite Design AD IZ-5
Hybrid: PXG 0311 Black Ops at 19 and 22 degrees. Shaft: KBS Hybrid Prototype
Hybrid: PXG 0311 Gen5.
Iron: PXG 0311 P Gen 4 5-9 irons
Wedge: PXG 0311 T Gen 4 PW
Wedges: PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II at 50, 54, 58 degrees
Putter: Bettinardi Studio Stock 3 DASS

DP World Tour @ Austrian Alpine: KK? KK!

Kota Kaneko has a rhythmic name. It has strong vowels and a run of voiceless stops in its crunchy K sounds. On Sunday in Austria, Kaneko put a stop to a challenge from Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and everyone else, and claimed a first-ever title on the DP World Tour. Gouveia did well to reach 16-under par over four days, but Kaneko held firm, two shots in the clear.

Davis Bryant of the USA also forged a strong challenge for the win. He ended in a tie with Gouveia for second place. Kaneko began and finished his final round in a bit of a malaise, but he caught fire midway through. Birdies at 10, 12, and 13 provided the necessary cushion to cruise to the finish line without breaking a serious sweat.

Kaneko’s Suitcase

Driver: Ping Max G440
Metals: TaylorMade Qi4D at 15, 16.5, 21, and 24 degrees
Irons: TaylorMade P760 5 and 6 irons
Irons: TaylorMade P7TW 7-9 irons
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design at 46, 52, 56, and 60 degrees
Putter: Odyssey Ai-One Cruiser Arm Lock #7

Korn Ferry Tour @ UNC Health Championship: Improbably Alvaro

Alvaro Ortiz may have had a bit of scare on the outward nine on Sunday, but he came through in clutch fashion in the end. Ortiz began the day bogey-double, and added another double bogey at the 11th hole. He was mired in a downward trend, spiraling away from the top of the leader’s board. Ortiz found hope at the 14th, where his first birdie of the day tumbled home. Inspired, he closed with birdies and 17 and 18 to catch Ross Steelman at 10-under par, and the duo returned to the 18th deck for overtime.

The extra session concluded in brief time. Ortiz, buoyed by his newly-retrieved confidence, hit the fairway with driver, then approached to six feet and drained the putt. Gobsmacked, Steelman could do little more than smile and applaud, as his run at the top came to a close. The victory was the first for Ortiz on the KFT, and will implant him squarely in the chase for a PGA Tour promotion.

Alvaro’s Suitcase

Driver: Ping G430 MAX driver at 9 degrees loft
Metal: Ping G430 MAX 3W
Iron: Ping iDi Driving Iron
Irons: Ping Blueprint S irons
Wedges
Putter: Scottsdale TR Piper C

A party on the green!

Alvaro’s time comes in Raleigh with his first win @UNCHealthChamp ? pic.twitter.com/2dmtZdbSzk

— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) May 31, 2026

LIV @ Korea: Me llamo Joaquin

Chile’s Joaquin Niemann had been away from the LIV winner’s circle throughout all of 2026. This week in Korea, he reminded us that he is still a force to consider. Niemann chased down Taylor Gooch over the closing holes at Asiad Country Club, then claimed victory with a hole-one birdie in extra time. Bryson DeChambeau claimed solo third, one shot in arrears at minus-eleven. Dustin Johnson finished on fourth, one putt farther back.

Niemann’s Suitcase