‘I couldn’t fit it all in’: Rory McIlroy explains his decision to leave the PGA board | Golf

Rory McIlroy explained Thursday that he did not want to jeopardize his latest title at next April’s Masters by remaining part of the PGA Tour board of directors.

in a shocking announcement on tuesday It was revealed that McIlroy had resigned from the board of directors as he seeks to spend less time involved in golf politics. By McIlroy’s own statement, “something had to give.”

The sport remains in a state of flux, with the PGA and DP World Tours attempting to formalize a framework agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. McIlroy, a strong supporter of traditional golf tours, admitted he had less of a say after the deal was reached in June. McIlroy only needs the Masters to complete a Grand Slam of major championships.

Speaking after his opening round 71 at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, McIlroy said: “I like to be busy but I like to be busy doing my thing. It got to the point where I couldn’t fit it all together. I think as we move into next year, as I try to prepare for Augusta and all those tournaments, I just don’t see myself putting the time and energy into it. If I feel that I am not prepared to attend those meetings, then it will be better if someone else takes my place and can dedicate time and energy to it.

“The day has a limited number of hours and the week has a certain number of days and right now I have a lot of things to do in my life. Between trying to be a world-class golfer and trying to be a good husband and father, I have a growing investment portfolio that takes up more and more of my time.”

McIlroy has always been a vehement critic of the Saudi-backed LIV tour. On the problems caused by the framework agreement, he added: “I came forward and spoke about something I believed in. Obviously, the landscape changed on June 6 with that announcement and I felt like I was playing a lesser role from then on because of the decisions that were made.”

McIlroy declined to criticize the approach of those, including Tiger Woods, who remain part of the PGA Tour’s inner sanctum. However, he admitted that the arguments can be contrasting. “I think when you walk into a room people have different views and opinions about what should happen,” the 34-year-old said. “I certainly had my views and my opinions, some people agreed and some didn’t. But that’s the nature of the place we’re in and that’s the nature of sitting in a meeting. Not everyone is going to agree on everything. You have to try to reach an agreement and find the best solution.

“I’m pretty happy with the direction of travel. “It’s just a matter of trying to get things done as quickly as possible.”