Rory McIlroy to reporter over PGA Tour issue: "I think I said everything I need to say about it"
Rory McIlroy didn't appear too interested in indulging a reporter's question about the PGA Tour's declining TV ratings and pace of play issues.
1. R. Henley | -8 |
T2. J. Knapp | -7 |
T2. J. Rose | -7 |
T2. C. Davis | -7 |
T2. S. Straka | -7 |
T2. V. Hovland | -7 |
T2. R. Hojgaard | -7 |
T8. R. McIlroy | -6 |
T8. J. Thomas | -6 |
T8. P. Cantlay | -6 |
Rory McIlroy didn't appear too enthused about indulging a reporter's question about the PGA Tour 'needing a win' after the first round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am which saw him hit his second hole-in-one on the circuit.
McIlroy played the first round of the second signature event of 2025 on Thursday alongside Ludvig Aberg.
He sits on 6-under par after carding a bogey-free 66 that saw him make birdies at Spyglass Hill's 6th, 7th, 9th and 12th.
McIlroy started on the back nine and his ace arrived at the 119-yard par-3 15th.
His TP5 went straight in the cup which prompted celebrations with Aberg as well as amateur playing partners Jeff Rhodes and Jimmy Dunne.
"Honestly, it was lucky," McIlroy said. "I don't see many balls nowadays go straight in the hole and stay in the hole.
"Pretty fortunate because it could have come out and went back in the water or do anything. It was a good swing. A good wedge shot."
Earlier in the week McIlroy suggested there are too many events on the PGA Tour's schedule.
He warned golf fans could become 'fatigued' by the wealth of options available and therefore the Tour's current offering has been 'diminished'.
McIlroy's solution, which may not be well received by some of his peers, is to scale back and adopt a similar model to the NFL.
To increase pace of play, McIlroy said there are 'a lot of different answers' but opined smaller fields should be seriously considered.
A reporter asked McIlroy on Thursday afternoon if the PGA Tour 'needed to put on a good show this week' given the circumstances.
"I will direct you to my comments in the media centre on Tuesday," came the reply. "I think I said everything I need to say about it."
Asked if he had any concerns about the future of the Tour and whether it weighs on him, McIlroy said firmly: "I'm concerned about myself."
American Russell Henley sits atop the leaderboard on 8-under after posting 64 on the same course as McIlroy.
A cluster of players - including Viktor Hovland, Justin Rose, Jake Knapp and Rasmus Hojgaard are tied for second on 7-under.
Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay and Shane Lowry have also started the $20m tournament well.
Lowry also had a hole-in-one at Pebble Beach's famed par-3 7th.
World No.1 Scottie Scheffler shot an opening 5-under 67 in his first start since returning from a hand injury.
Scheffler cut his right palm open with a wine glass whilst preparing raviolis with his family over the Christmas period.
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