Rory McIlroy “sick” of money talk in golf as Open bosses refuse major increase

Rory McIlroy says he is “sick” of money talk in golf as The Open organisers announce only a small increase in prize money for this week’s championship in Troon.

While prize money in the sport rocketed to new levels thanks to Tiger Woods’ stellar presence from the mid-1990s to 2010, LIV Golf’s arrival in 2022 has moved the dial to obscene lengths.

LIV’s €460m signing Jon Rahm underlined the extent of the issue as the PGA Tour moved to keep up and to keep star names on board by devising a new calendar with signature events for elite players that vastly upped the cash prizes on offer.

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McIlroy, a four time major title, three-time FedEx Cup and five-time Race to Dubai/DP World Tour rankings winner, is estimated to be worth more than €235m and counting between prize money and sponsorships.

But speaking ahead of his latest attempt to win a fifth major – and his first in a decade – McIlroy told Sky Bet’s Stick to Football podcast that supporters don’t care about the money that is sloshing around golf – and he is in the same boat.

“Whenever I dreamed of becoming a professional golfer, it was all about winning trophies and winning major championships,” McIlroy said.

“This happens in all sports, but to me, I’m sick of all the money talk in golf because the fans don’t care about it. They want to watch good golf and watch people compete against each other.

“The fans don’t care if you’re making this or this guy is on $200,000 dollars a week, it just doesn’t resonate to them.”

The R&A organise the final major of the year and have released this week’s prize money for The Open – opting for a minimal increase across the board due to concerns about the impact on financial sustainability and the perception of golf.

The winner at Troon on Sunday will receive a record €2.84m, an increase of just over €90,000.

The total prize fund of €15.6m is up by €450,000 on last year.

R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said: “The R&A has a responsibility to strike a balance between maintaining The Open’s position in the global game, providing the funds required for governance and developing amateur and recreational golf in 146 countries internationally.

“We have to make choices if we want to continue to build on the significant growth in participation that is essential for golf’s future.

“We remain concerned about the impact substantial increases in men’s professional prize money are having on the perception of the sport and its long-term financial sustainability.

“We are determined to act with the interests of the global game in mind as we pursue our goal of ensuring golf continues to thrive in 50 years’ time.”

Defending Open champion Brian Harman insisted he would be happy playing for less money, or even no money at all.

“Yeah, I would personally,” said Harman. “I’m not sure everyone would, but I would…because some people care more about money than I do, I suppose.

“I play golf for me. I play golf because I enjoy torturing myself with things that are really hard to do.

“That’s just me. Most times when I get done with a tournament, I couldn’t tell you within commas of how much that I made that week.”

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