World number one Rory McIlroy says he does not want to participate in a proposed first golf division.
The world tour of 18 grand prix style events – which would rival the PGA Tour – would feature 48 top players and have a total fund of $ 240 million (£ 183 million).
Tiger Woods and Justin Rose both say they have been approached about the new format, which divides opinions.
“The more I think about it, the more I don’t like it. For me, I’m out,” said McIlroy, 30.
The British-based British golf group released plans for the Premier Golf League in January, which it hopes to launch in 2022.
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan told players they should choose between the new series or the PGA Tour, while European Tour director Keith Pelley also warned those who participated to this tour.
Five-time major winner Woods said his team was reviewing the plans, while Olympic champion Rose said there were “a lot of incentives for the guys to be interested”.
McIlroy, however, says he values having “autonomy and freedom over everything I do”.
Speaking before the WGC-Mexico Championship, the Northern Irishman added: “This is a perfect example. Some guys this week have chosen not to come to Mexico. If you are going to play in this other golf league , you’re not going to have that choice.
“I read something the other day that said if you take the money, they can tell you what to do, so if you don’t take the money, they can’t tell you what to do.
“I think that’s my thing – I’ve never been the type to know what to do and I love to have that autonomy and that freedom in my career and I think I would give up on that by playing in this other league. ”
World number one Rory McIlroy says he does not want to participate in a proposed first golf division.
The world tour of 18 grand prix style events – which would rival the PGA Tour – would feature 48 top players and have a total fund of $ 240 million (£ 183 million).
Tiger Woods and Justin Rose both say they have been approached about the new format, which divides opinions.
“The more I think about it, the more I don’t like it. For me, I’m out,” said McIlroy, 30.
The British-based British golf group released plans for the Premier Golf League in January, which it hopes to launch in 2022.
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan told players they should choose between the new series or the PGA Tour, while European Tour director Keith Pelley also warned those who participated to this tour.
Five-time major winner Woods said his team was reviewing the plans, while Olympic champion Rose said there were “a lot of incentives for the guys to be interested”.
McIlroy, however, says he values having “autonomy and freedom over everything I do”.
Speaking before the WGC-Mexico Championship, the Northern Irishman added: “This is a perfect example. Some guys this week have chosen not to come to Mexico. If you are going to play in this other golf league , you’re not going to have that choice.
“I read something the other day that said if you take the money, they can tell you what to do, so if you don’t take the money, they can’t tell you what to do.
“I think that’s my thing – I’ve never been the type to know what to do and I love to have that autonomy and that freedom in my career and I think I would give up on that by playing in this other league. ”