McIlroy unconcerned by PGA Tour’s new promotion and relegation plans

Rory McIlroy says he is not worried about the effect of the PGA Tour’s new membership system on DP World Tour players.

The PGA Tour announced plans on Tuesday to introduce a two-tier structure from 2028. The new system will include the PGA Tour Championship Series and the PGA Tour Challenger Series.

The Championship Series will feature the leading players. The top 90 golfers will keep their places, while 20 players will be promoted from the Challenger Series. Major championship and Players Championship winners will also receive two-year exemptions.

At present, the top 10 players in the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai rankings earn PGA Tour cards for the following season. However, the PGA Tour has not yet confirmed how many places will be available to DP World Tour players under the new system.

McIlroy believes DP World Tour golfers should have a direct route into the Championship Series rather than being sent to the lower tier.

“I don’t see any reason why a DP World Tour player would go to the Challenger Series,” McIlroy said ahead of this week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

“I don’t see that as an upward move in your career. I see it as a very lateral move.”

The four-time major winner believes discussions between the two tours focus on how many Championship Series cards should be awarded to the best DP World Tour players.

McIlroy also said the DP World Tour could become stronger if more LIV Golf players return to the circuit.

The Northern Irishman, who finished tied for 41st at last week’s Amgen Irish Open, also revealed that he would like to finish his career playing mainly on the DP World Tour.

“I’d love to envision a day where I am able to play solely on the DP World Tour,” he said.

For now, McIlroy must continue dividing his time between both tours to keep his PGA Tour membership. He returns to action at the BMW PGA Championship this week, with all four rounds live on Sky Sports Golf.