Rory McIlroy dismisses elevation of Players Championship to fifth major
Rory McIlroy has dismissed suggestions that the Players Championship should be elevated to become golf’s fifth major, despite the tournament’s recent marketing push using the slogan “March is going to be major,” reports BritPanorama.
Speaking ahead of his PGA Tour season opener at Pebble Beach, the world number two reaffirmed his preference for maintaining tradition within the men’s game. “I’m a traditionalist, I’m a historian of the game. We have four major championships,” McIlroy stated.
The Northern Irishman added a comparative perspective, saying, “If you want to see what five major championships looks like, look at the women’s game. I don’t know how well that’s went for them.”
McIlroy praised the TPC Sawgrass event, calling it among the finest competitions in world golf. “I think the Players is one of the best golf tournaments in the world. I don’t think anyone disputes that or argues that,” he noted.
He emphasized the tournament’s strong identity, suggesting that it currently possesses a greater sense of purpose than some of the established majors. “I would say it’s got more of an identity than the PGA Championship does at the minute,” he added.
Furthermore, McIlroy advocated for shifting the US PGA Championship back to its former August slot, highlighting that the tournament’s current May positioning detracts from its legacy. “I think it needs to go back to August,” he remarked, recalling its previous tagline “glory’s last shot.”
Both of McIlroy’s PGA Championship victories in 2012 and 2014 occurred when the tournament occupied its traditional late-summer position. The recent promotional campaign has reignited debate about the PGA Tour’s flagship event and its status among major tournaments, with former champion Phil Mickelson rejecting the notion outright.
The two-time Players Championship winner begins his 2026 American campaign this week by defending his Pebble Beach Pro-Am crown, with the tournament commencing on Thursday.
In a sport where tradition holds significant weight, McIlroy’s stance reflects a broader conversation about the evolution and identity of golf—especially as new players and formats emerge on the horizon.
