Story perspectives

McIlroy warns PGA Tour plan could sink Canadian Open.

6/17/2026

Summary

**McIlroy Warns**

Rory McIlroy warned the PGA Tour’s two-track plan could demote RBC Canadian Open unless sponsors provide $30 million.
He said LIV Golf created an economy that forced the Tour to raise prize funds and cut fields.
He called Track 2 a glorified Korn Ferry event and urged the Canadian Open stay in Track 1.
CEO Brian Rolapp will outline a plan for 15-18 events with $20 million purses, praising Shinnecock Hills as the toughest test.

Summary

**LIV Golf Loses**

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will stop financing LIV Golf at year-end, ending a $5 billion cash injection.
The PGA Tour responded with eight events, each offering a $20 million purse.
Rory McIlroy tees off at 7:52 am local (12:52 pm BST) with teammates Tommy Fleetwood and Ludvig Åberg, noting the depth of UK and European players could produce US Open contenders.
Scottie Scheffler starts at 8:14 am local (1:14 pm BST) seeking a career Grand Slam.

Summary

**McIlroy Reacts**

The PGA Tour will expand fields to up to 130 players and restore the 36-hole cut in Track 1 events.
Rory McIlroy, 37, noted this is his first New York-area tournament since the Ryder Cup, where he had “R-rated exchanges” with fans.
He said his schedule is shrinking, he will keep playing selected events, and that with LIV less threatening the PGA Tour’s old ways “weren’t actually that bad.”

History

Historical Context

The PGA Tour launched the FedEx Cup in 2007, creating golf’s first season-long playoff and awarding Tiger Woods the inaugural title. Rule changes in 2008 and 2013 tied playoff points to Tour cards, while the bonus pool grew to $70 million by 2019. The model’s financial scale now shapes current Tour-LIV negotiations.

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**McIlroy Warns**

Rory McIlroy warned the PGA Tour’s two-track plan could demote RBC Canadian Open unless sponsors provide $30 million.
He said LIV Golf created an economy that forced the Tour to raise prize funds and cut fields.
He called Track 2 a glorified Korn Ferry event and urged the Canadian Open stay in Track 1.
CEO Brian Rolapp will outline a plan for 15-18 events with $20 million purses, praising Shinnecock Hills as the toughest test.

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