Rory McIlroy has provided an update on when he’ll call time on his playing days in golf.
The four-time major winner, who is currently competing in the 2024 Cognizant Classic at the PGA National Members Club in Florida, told reporters Thursday that he’s more than halfway through his career.
“I turned pro in â07,” said McIlroy, according to Golf Week. “What is this, my 17th year? Another 17, I’ll be 51.”
In those 17 years, McIlroy has lifted aloft the US Open trophy in 2011, the PGA Championship in 2012 and 2014, and The Open Championship in 2014.
In total, he has 24 PGA Tour victories and, most recently, won the Genesis Scottish Open in 2023 with a -15 score and one stroke lead over local golfer Robert MacIntyre.
Though he seemingly has no intention of hanging up his golf shoes any time soon, McIlroy conceded that he’s on the back on the nine, by now.
“I would say Iâm pretty close to the turn at this point, if not a little bit after,” said McIlroy.
“Maybe on the 10th green or 11th tee.”
McIlroy Gave Cryptic Response Regarding Rumor He’ll Join LIV in $946 Million Move
McIlroy remains in firm conversation to lift golf’s top honors, including the 2024 Masters which takes place early April.
But it is unclear whether he’ll remain on the PGA Tour, or if he’s beginning to flirt with a mega-move to the Saudi-backed rival league LIV Golf.
Speculation ran rampant when McIlroy’s former manager Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler told Bunkered on February 23 that “it’s a possibility” his ex-client could leave the PGA Tour to join the likes of Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, and Phil Mickelson.
Though McIlroy once said heâd “rather retire” than follow those players into the breakaway league, his stance may have cooled somewhat as he appears open to such a move now.
“[You] never know,” he told reporters, according to Golf Week this week, refusing to rule out a switch.
He then said Chandler “might know a few things. Who knows.”
Chandler said the chances of McIlroy joining LIV were between good and 10%.
“Somewhere in the middle, maybe,” McIlroy said in response.
McIlroy, Meanwhile, Hopes to Climb The Cognizant Classic Leaderboard
Though McIlroy posted a -4 score in his opening round at the Cognizant Classic on Thursday, he said his iron play wasn’t up to par.
The Northern Irishman finished the day tied in 18th place, but hopes to rectify his approach shots so that he can climb the leaderboard and challenge Chad Ramey and Kim Seong-hyeon who share top spot with scores of -7.
“[An opening day card of 67] around here is always a decent score,” McIlroy said Thursday, per Golf Week.
“It was so benign today â youâre not going to get this course much easier.”
Regarding his approach shots, he added: “It’s something that Iâve been struggling with for the last few weeks and itâs hard.
“Itâs hard to replicate on the range the visuals that youâre getting on the course and itâs more a visual thing.
“When I see a pin on the left side of the green, Iâm just a bit more uneasy of what shot to play and how Iâm trying to swing it.”
McIlroy returns to the course Friday with a tee time of 12:40 p.m. Eastern time. His three-ball group includes Jake Knapp and Charles Kirk.
The tournament, which airs on ESPN+ and the Golf Channel, concludes Sunday.
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