McIlroy Rejects Players as Major, Wants PGA Back in August

Golfer argues the Players Championship doesn't need 'major' status and calls for the PGA Championship to return to its traditional August slot.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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In an interview at Pebble Beach, golfer Rory McIlroy expressed his opposition to elevating the Players Championship to major status, stating that the tournament "doesn't need to be anything else" and already has a strong identity. McIlroy also suggested that the PGA Championship should move back to its former August date, referencing the tournament's previous "Glory's Last Shot" slogan. The four-time major champion discussed his recent Masters victory, Ryder Cup triumph, and future goals, while weighing in on the ongoing debate around golf's major championships.

Why it matters

McIlroy's stance highlights the tension between modern marketing efforts and the sport's longstanding traditions. His insistence on preserving the established four major championships, while recognizing the Players Championship's prestige, underscores a divide among players and organizers over the future direction of golf's most celebrated events. His call for moving the PGA Championship back to August reflects a desire to restore clarity and tradition to the sport's calendar, potentially influencing future scheduling decisions by the PGA Tour and golf's governing bodies.

The details

McIlroy, who recently won the Masters, expressed his traditionalist perspective on the debate over elevating the Players Championship to major status. He acknowledged the tournament's excellence but argued that the four existing major championships should remain unchanged. McIlroy also revisited the discussion around the PGA Championship's position on the calendar, suggesting a return to its former August date to restore the tournament's "Glory's Last Shot" identity.

  • McIlroy won the Masters in April 2026.
  • McIlroy made these comments at Pebble Beach Golf Links in February 2026.

The players

Rory McIlroy

A four-time major champion and one of the top golfers in the world.

Justin Rose

A professional golfer who lost to McIlroy in a playoff at the 2026 Masters.

J.J. Spaun

A professional golfer who won the U.S. Open after finishing runner-up to McIlroy at the 2026 Players Championship.

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What they’re saying

“Look, I'd love to have seven majors instead of five, that sounds great. 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.”

— Rory McIlroy, Golfer (theconwaybulletin.com)

“But ... I'm a traditionalist, I'm a historian of the game. We have four major championships. 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 went for them. But it's the Players. It doesn't need to be anything else. I would say it's got more of an identity than the PGA Championship does at the minute. So from an identity standpoint, I think the Players has got it nailed. It stands on its own without the label, I guess.”

— Rory McIlroy, Golfer (theconwaybulletin.com)

“I think 'Glory's Last Shot,' I think it needs to go back to August.”

— Rory McIlroy, Golfer (theconwaybulletin.com)

“Only when I'm reminded or only when I see something or I'm going over to [CBS broadcaster] Jim Nantz's house later; I'm doing an interview in the green jacket. It's done, it's wonderful, I'm happy that it's over in a way, but I want to move on, and I've got more goals and there's more things I want to try to accomplish and achieve.”

— Rory McIlroy, Golfer (theconwaybulletin.com)

“The Masters was more me against myself, and the Ryder Cup was me against 50,000 New Yorkers.”

— Rory McIlroy, Golfer (theconwaybulletin.com)

What’s next

The PGA Tour and golf's governing bodies may consider McIlroy's suggestions regarding the status of the Players Championship and the scheduling of the PGA Championship as they evaluate the future direction of the sport's major events.

The takeaway

McIlroy's stance underscores the ongoing debate between modernizing golf's major championship structure and preserving the sport's longstanding traditions. His insistence on maintaining the four established majors, while acknowledging the prestige of the Players Championship, highlights the nuances involved in shaping the future of professional golf's most prestigious tournaments.