McIlroy backs PGA Tour's bold match-play Tour Championship, eyes historic venues

Rory McIlroy praised the PGA Tour's plan to move the Tour Championship to a two-week, match-play format in 2028, calling it a bold ‘big swing’ that fans have wanted and applauding the idea of separating the season-long champion from the Tour Championship. He highlighted the potential to host iconic, historic courses with a smaller crowd footprint, mentioning Merion, the Olympic Club, and Baltusrol as possibilities (Pine Valley was noted as a dream but unlikely). While he has a minor worry about engagement in the loser's bracket, the overall sentiment is positive, emphasizing greater postseason stakes and TV appeal through a format that could reframe the Tour’s finale.