Rory McIlroy began his quest to defend his Race To Dubai title with a round of six-under par 66 on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates on Thursday.
McIlroy has actually won the last three Race To Dubai titles, and has six in total to his name.
Only two other players can catch the Northern Irishman in the year-long race for the trophy at the DP World Tour Championship – English duo Marco Penge and Tyrrell Hatton.
By his own admission, McIlroy’s score could’ve been even better on day one of the DP World Tour Championship.
He knows what he’s capable of and his ceiling is so high that a round of 66 can seem somewhat average for him at times.
McIlroy’s form has been extremely solid since the PGA Tour season finished in August, with his win at the Irish Open a real highlight for him.
In fact, McIlroy has suggested that he could cut down his PGA Tour schedule next year, as he looks to play more international events.
Rory McIlroy’s comments could cause the PGA Tour a problem
The PGA Tour hierarchy may well be concerned by McIlroy’s recent comments regarding his future playing schedule.
Should more American golfers play DP World Tour events?
They should be even more worried now after he doubled down on those comments this week.
When speaking to reporters on Tuesday before the event in Dubai got underway, the 36-year-old insisted that the game’s biggest players really need to get behind the DP World Tour now, by playing more events.
“There’s a wonderful heritage to this tour,“ McIlroy said.
“I think with the fractured nature of the men’s professional game at the minute, this tour needs all of its stars to step up and play in the big events.
“I understand that I am one of those people and I want to do my utmost to help in whatever way that I can. I feel quite a responsibility to do that.
“And to try to make this tour as strong as it can possibly be.“
The five-time major champion played 16 events on the PGA Tour this season and just 10 so far in Europe.
However, it’s clear that McIlroy’s time could be split more evenly between the two Tours next year and beyond.
Why the PGA Tour should be concerned by McIlroy’s comments
The PGA Tour need their superstars to be in action as much as possible.
The sponsors of the events obviously want the best players in the world to play in their tournaments.
And if McIlroy drastically cuts down his PGA Tour schedule, there is every chance that certain sponsors may be put off, or reduce the money that they pay the Tour as a result.
Another issue is that the PGA Tour could be forced into a rule change.
If McIlroy doesn’t play the minimum of 15 events required to keep his PGA Tour card, he surely won’t be banned from competing on the Tour.
They won’t want to cut their nose off to spite their face because they clearly can’t risk losing their poster boy.
A lot will need to be addressed moving forward but what seems a certainty right now is that we will be seeing McIlroy play more on the DP World Tour next year and beyond, and less on the PGA Tour.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
