On Wednesday, Rory McIlroy said “absolutely not” when asked whether he would ever play on the PGA Tour Champions.
His comments quickly made their way to some of the legends of the game, and they’ve fired back.
During a pre-tournament press conference ahead of the 2025 Players Championship, the 35-year-old McIlroy was asked when he will know it’s time to stop playing professionally and how he’ll come to grips with that reality.
“I think when I’ve achieved everything I want to achieve in the game and I get to the point where I don’t think I can maybe do that anymore,” he said. “I’d also like to walk away with a little bit left in the tank. I don’t want to be out there embarrassing myself. I’d like to walk away maybe a little before I should. Put it that way.”
When players turn 50, which is still a ways off for McIlroy, he’ll be eligible to compete on the Champions tour, though he doesn’t think that will happen.
“I will not play Champions Tour golf,” McIlroy said when asked if he would have any interest in playing the senior tour. “Look, I’ve said a lot of absolutes in my time that I’ve walked back, but I do not envision playing Champions Tour golf.
“Something has went terribly wrong if I have to compete at golf at 50.”
His comments have invoked numerous responses from current Champions tour players, like Ernie Els.
“Interesting to read @McIlroyRory comments today. At 35 years old I was also bullet proof saying things about not playing past 50. I’m 55 now and laughing at my comments from back then. @ChampionsTour golf is so fulfilling with a great bunch of players we all grew up together from junior golf. Our sponsors and partners are wonderful companies and people. Competition is a powerful tool!”
Interesting to read @McIlroyRory comments today. At 35 years old I was also bullet proof saying things about not playing past 50. I’m 55 now and laughing at my comments from back then. @ChampionsTour golf is so fulfilling with a great bunch of players we all grew up together from…
— Ernie Els (@TheBig_Easy) March 13, 2025
The Big Easy wasn’t the only one who responded to McIlroy’s comments, either.
I think Rory Mc thinks most of us play the @ChampionsTour because we “have to.” We play the Champ Tour because we still love golf, the camaraderie and we love to compete.
😄
— BobEstesPGA (@EstesPga) March 12, 2025
A lot can change in 15 years, so perhaps McIlroy’s tone will change, but his comments sparked a firestorm among those who compete on the Champions tour.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Ernie Els, Champions tour players fire back after Rory McIlroy comment
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