Rory McIlroy has been discussing the PGA Championship ahead of his first start of the PGA Tour season at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am this week.
McIlroy picked up a win at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in 2025, and that result set off what turned out to be a remarkable year for him.
Two months later, he claimed victory at The Masters and in doing so completed his career Grand Slam.
The win added to his already impressive list of major championships, which includes an Open title, a US Open win, and two PGA Championships.
The PGA Championship is often seen as the least prestigious of the four majors by some golf fans. While there may be a bit of truth to that view, anyone who has ever lifted the Wanamaker Trophy will always hold it in high regard.
But is there something that can be done to raise its profile within the sport?
Rory McIlroy wants to see a big change made to the PGA Championship
The 2025 Masters champion met with the press on Tuesday afternoon ahead of this week’s Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
McIlroy was asked by reporters whether he believes The Players Championship should become golf’s fifth major.
“Look, I’d love to have seven majors instead of five, that sounds great,” McIlroy admitted.
“I think THE PLAYERS is one of the best golf tournaments in the world. I don’t think anyone disputes that or argues that. I think from a player perspective it’s amazing. I think from an on-site fan experience it’s amazing. It’s an amazing golf course, location, venue.
“But I don’t — like again, I’m a traditionalist, I’m a historian of the game. We have four major championships. You know, if you want to see what five major championships looks like, look at the women’s game. I don’t know how well that’s gone for them.”
The conversation then shifted towards what identity he believes suits the PGA Championship best. He replied: “I think glory’s last shot. I think it needs to go back to August.”
Rory McIlroy suggests one change to the PGA Championship that would make it better
The PGA Championship moved from its original August slot to May back in 2019, a shift that’s still debated among players and fans.
This wasn’t the first time the event had undergone significant changes.
Back in 1958, it transitioned from a match-play format to stroke play. Then, more than six decades later, its place on the calendar was adjusted again.
The tournament was once promoted as ‘Glory’s Last Shot’, but that tagline no longer fits its current position in the season.
This year’s event will be held at Aronimink Golf Club, where Scottie Scheffler will look to defend his title after winning at Quail Hollow in 2025.
Some have floated ideas like bringing back match play or even taking the event overseas to help boost its standing alongside the other majors.
But as McIlroy hinted, maybe simply returning the PGA Championship to its original spot in August could help recapture some of what made it unique.
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