Golf legend hits back at Rory McIlroy’s retirement plans

Multiple major champion Ernie Els admits he also held the same notion as Rory McIlroy currently does about not playing competitive golf over the age of 50 on the PGA Tour Champions - but that he ended up dramatically changing his mind. 

McIlroy, 35, revealed in an interview this week that he is strongly opposed to playing golf past the age of 50 and playing on the PGA Tour Champions.

The Northern Irishman is seemingly so certain about his future plans on the golf course that fellow four-time major champion Els, 55, took to X / Twitter to offer some friendly advice and share his attitudes about life on the over 50s circuit.

Els, known as 'The Big Easy', admits that at McIlroy’s age, he also felt the same way as him. 

But his view very quickly changed as he got older, and Els believes it was one of the best decisions he ever made. 

"At 35 years old I was also bulletproof saying things about not playing past 50," tweeted Els. 

"I’m 55 now and laughing at my comments from back then. Champions Tour golf is so fulfilling with a great bunch of players we all grew up together from junior golf.

"Our sponsors and partners are wonderful companies and people.

“Competition is a powerful tool!"

McIlroy had been discussing Tiger Woods' latest injury, a ruptured Achilles, when the subject about his future arose.

Woods, who turns 50 at the end of this year, is now not expected to return to competitive golf until 2026. 

"Something would have gone terribly wrong if I have to compete at 50," said McIlroy. 

"I wouldn’t put myself through it and that is no disrespect to Tiger, I have just never envisaged keeping going that long.

"I’ve said a lot of absolutes in my time that I’ve walked back, but I do not envision playing Champions Tour golf.

"I’m already 18 years into a professional career and, when I feel the time is right, I’ll have no problem moving aside and letting the next generation do their thing."

Playing in his sixth season on the Champions Tour, Els has seven wins to his name, with his most recent the Mitsubishi Electric Championship in Hawaii in January.