New PGA Tour format: Rory McIlroy says Scottish Open must be protected
BBC • • sports
Key Points:
- Rory McIlroy has cautioned the PGA Tour to carefully consider the future of the Scottish Open under the new two-tier format launching in 2028, as the event would not qualify for the top-tier Championship status.
- The new system will run the Championship and second-tier Challenger series concurrently, preventing players from competing in both, which could exclude many top players from the Scottish Open.
- Scottish player Bob MacIntyre and McIlroy emphasized the importance of preserving the national open's identity, urging for exceptions to be made to maintain its traditional status and appeal.
- The Scottish Open, co-sanctioned by the PGA and DP World Tours since 2022, currently attracts top players partly due to its timing before The Open, a factor that players like Scottie Scheffler want preserved in the new structure.
- While the PGA Tour plans Championship events with prize funds of at least $20 million, the Scottish Open's purse is £6.7 million, and MacIntyre believes it will remain a significant European Tour event rather than a top-tier Championship tournament.
