TOUR Championship 2023, East Lake GC, Atlanta, GA, 24-27 August
TOUR Championship 2023: Intro from Rory McIlroy
Last year Rory McIlroy rallied from six shots behind world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler to win the TOUR Championship and capture the FedExCup for the third time to become the first three-time winner in FedEx Cup history. It was described at the time by National Club Golfer George Cooper as "one of the greatest showdowns in PGA Tour history".
Asked how he feels now, entering the Tour Championship in 2023, he says he feels "a little more balanced", "a little more calm". Hear his thoughts on a wide range of questions in the video above, giving an overview of the game itself, formats, the TOUR board and Tiger's influence ("I think his influence has been felt already and is only going to grow"), gambling effects on golf, how to play when the heat goes 'nuclear', TGL, and more. He's also been reconsidering an earlier putter, to use in the Tour Championship.
From RTE.ie:
"I think last year, I was probably energised by everything that was going on in the world of golf. I felt like we were maybe in a bit more of a state of flux," McIlroy said in his pre-event press conference in Atlanta.
"I sat up here at this table this day last year talking about designated events and getting all the best players to play together and all that stuff.
"I remember this time last year being on a board call at 7.30 in the morning on the Tuesday trying to get all that stuff ratified and get it passed through the board.
"I've been able to focus a little bit more just on golf and my game and even able to take two days at home between Chicago and here, getting to spend some time with the girls. That's been really nice. Read more
From The Irish Examiner:
Considering how much remains up in the air with the framework agreement between the PGA Tour, DP World tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund which bankrolls LIV Golf, the world of elite professional golf hardly seems “settled.” But from McIlroy’s perspective, the emotional and professional capital that he invested in securing the PGA Tour’s future is spent and behind him. Read more
From Yardbarker, by Chelena Goldman:
Tiger Woods hasn't been on the PGA Tour Policy Board for very long. Less than a month, to be exact. But according to fellow board member and friend Rory McIlroy, he is already making an impact.
"He’s certainly been spending more time on it than I have," McIlroy told reporters on Wednesday, via Sports Illustrated. "He’s been talking to some people. He’s been talking to a lot of people. He’s really engaged in just trying to get the best outcome for the players on the PGA Tour. So I think his difference has been felt already." Read more
From Golf Monthly, by Paul Higham:
Rory McIlroy admitted ahead of the Tour Championship that he was considering a putter switch, and he does indeed now intend to go back to his old flat stick for the PGA Tour finale in Atlanta.
McIlroy used a Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 for the second successive tournament as he shot 66 to finish fourth at the BMW Championship last week, but was still not comfortable on the greens.
So the four-time Major champion has gone back to his TaylorMade Spider for East Lake. Read more
From Sportsnaut:
A year later, McIlroy is still on the player policy board, but he’s far less involved. While the outside world largely sees chaos, the Northern Irishman believes the state of the game is “more settled.” He’ll vote on items presented to the board, but he’ll leave all the financial and legal wrangling to the executives. Read more
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