“LIV players playing both tours is ridiculous” – Tiger Woods’ ex-coach uses Rory McIlroy’s comments to analyze LIV golfers’ prospective schedule
Tiger Woods' former coach Hank Haney said it was unfair to ask LIV Golf players to play both tours while Rory McIlroy and other PGA Tour pros were considering reducing their events next season. He described this as 'cake-and-eat-it-too' logic, calling it absurd.
Haney is a veteran golf coach who has worked with players like Mark O'Meara and Tiger Woods. He is best known for his remarkable partnership with Woods, during which they won 31 titles, including six Majors.
Recently, Rory McIlroy mentioned his plan to reduce his PGA Tour schedule next season and hinted that he might even skip the first FedEx Cup playoff event in 2025. Reacting to this, Haney expressed that it was unfair to ask LIV Golf players to compete on both circuits while top PGA Tour players were cutting back on their appearances.
"This is why all the “cake and eat it too” logic about LIV players playing both tours is ridiculous," he said. "Rory says he’ll play 18-19 events. All the top players are making so much more money and the first thing they did was cut back their schedules."
Currently, LIV Golf professionals play 14 events in their circuit and also compete in the four Major championships if they qualify. Besides, those eligible participate in a few European Tour or Asian Tour events. If the PGA Tour-LIV Golf deal goes through under the rumored conditions, they may face a packed schedule.
What did Rory McIlroy say about his schedule reduction?
Shedding light on his schedule for the 2025 season, Rory McIlroy said he plans to make some adjustments and might skip events he doesn’t usually participate in but attended this year.
"There’s a few tournaments that I played this year that I don’t usually play and that I might not play next year," he said, as per Sports Illustrated. "Like, I played the Cognizant Classic, San Antonio (Texas Open) and Hilton Head (RBC Heritage).
The four-time Major champion added that he might skip the first of the three events in the FedEx Cup playoffs, given that his position wasn’t impacted much this year despite a poorer performance.
"I finished basically dead last there this year (T68) and only moved down one spot in the playoff standings," he added.
The 35-year-old Northern Irishman wants to reduce his schedule to 18-19 events, compared to the 26 he played across the PGA Tour and DP World Tour last year.
Last year, Rory McIlroy had skipped the RBC Heritage but had to face a fine, as top players were required not to miss more than one Signature event. However, that requirement has now been removed, so we may see him skipping a couple of Signature events.