Even before completing the rare feat of a career Grand Slam with a historic Masters win in April, Rory McIlroy was already one of the most influential voices in golf.
Known for his honesty, conviction, and leadership—especially during his tenure on the PGA Tour’s policy board—McIlroy has long been a respected figure, both among fellow players and the sport’s leadership. Alongside Tiger Woods, he is one of the few modern stars whose opinions shape the direction of the game.
And importantly, McIlroy doesn’t just talk—he acts.
When LIV Golf, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, entered the scene and drew in marquee names with lucrative deals, McIlroy chose to stay with the PGA Tour, citing tradition and legacy as his driving motivations.
“It’s not for me,” he said. “I’m too much of a traditionalist. I love winning tournaments and looking at the trophy and seeing names like Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Tiger Woods. That legacy means something to me.”
Now 36, and with the United States as his primary base, McIlroy remains committed to growing the sport globally. At the start of 2024, he emphasized the need for top players to reach fans beyond traditional strongholds, especially as interest in the game surged post-pandemic.
“If we’re serious about growing the game,” McIlroy said, “especially with new investment coming in, we need to think globally.”
True to his word, McIlroy has announced three major international appearances for the end of the year.
He’s set to play in the inaugural DP World India Championship in October, return to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in November, and headline the Australian Open in both 2025 and 2026. All three events are part of the DP World Tour.
These announcements are huge for golf in those regions. In India, former cricket legend and golf advocate Kapil Dev called McIlroy’s upcoming debut “a landmark moment.” McIlroy will be the first reigning Masters champion to play at Delhi Golf Club, from October 16–19—a massive draw for fans.
In Australia, his star power has already paid dividends. Following news of his participation in the Australian Open at Royal Melbourne (Dec 4–7), the event saw its highest single-day ticket sales in its 121-year history. McIlroy, who won the tournament in 2013, views the Australian Open as one of the sport’s true gems.
“The success of the Australian Open is important for the global game,” he said. “I’m incredibly confident it will thrive again this year.”
Melbourne, having previously hosted the Presidents Cup in 1998, 2011, and 2019, knows how to stage major golf events—those three editions alone brought in over A$121 million in economic impact and drew more than 315,000 fans.
Throughout his career, McIlroy has competed—and won—across the world, from Dubai to Hong Kong, Shanghai to Japan. He’s excited to add India to that list.
“I’m thrilled to not only tee it up in India for the first time but also explore a country I’ve always wanted to visit,” McIlroy said. “There’s huge potential for golf in India, and I’m looking forward to playing in front of passionate fans and spending time with young players.”
As McIlroy prepares to log serious air miles in service of global golf, his commitment is clear—and the ripple effects of his presence in India, Abu Dhabi, and Australia are set to be game-changing.
