Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm share a common vision for the future of golf, both championing the idea of a global world tour. The landscape of the sport was irrevocably altered with the advent of LIV Golf, which lured several of golf’s biggest names like Rahm, Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, among others, to the Saudi-backed series.
However, in 2023, hopes of reunifying the fragmented sport were ignited when the PGA Tour announced a framework agreement with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) for a merger between the two tours.
Yet, two-and-a-half years on, little concrete progress has been made towards this unification. Despite this, some of golf’s top players have publicly shared their ideas on how to broaden the sport’s appeal.
READ MORE: LIV Golf star handed wake-up call ahead of The Masters as move called into question
READ MORE: Tiger Woods’ statement in full as he confirms relationship with Donald Trump Jr’s ex-wife
Rahm, who defected from the PGA Tour to join LIV in 2023, signing a reported contract worth £464million ($600m), is of the opinion that a global world tour – something LIV has implemented in its 14-event season – would be beneficial for golf, reports the Irish Star.
“I am a realist, if it isn’t a thing yet, then I don’t let myself think about it too much,” the 2023 Masters champion told The Joe Pomp Show of a potential deal. “I love what we have been doing. I love we are going to South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australia. I don’t mind traveling at all, but there are some that might. I don’t know how they can make that happen, but the idea of having a world tour-type thing is very enticing to me.
“I would love to. Seeing new cultures, visiting new cultures, especially when you put it in front of a crowd that hasn’t seen a high-level golf tournament before, it is incredible.” McIlroy echoed Rahm’s sentiments, revealing that his “dream scenario” involves bringing golf to massive markets worldwide.
In a 2024 interview with Golf Digest, McIlroy emphasised the importance of considering venues in future plans. “Going forward, if everything is on the table, venues have to be a big part of the consideration,” he said. “We need to make sure the courses are worthy of the players who are going to be competing.
“My dream scenario is a world tour, with the proviso that corporate America has to remain a big part of it all. Saudi Arabia, too. That’s just basic economics. But there is an untapped commercial opportunity out there. Investors always want to make a return on their money.
“Revenues at the PGA Tour right now are about $2.3 billion. So how do we get that number up to four or six? To me, it is by looking outward. They need to think internationally and spread their wings a bit. I’ve been banging that drum for a while.”
As Rahm and McIlroy prepare for the Masters next month, both are among the top contenders to claim a Green Jacket. McIlroy has had a remarkable start to 2025, already securing victories at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Players Championship as he aims to win his first Masters and end his 11-year major drought.
