News
Rory McIlroy won’t watch Tiger-Phil match, claims the event has “missed the mark”
Last month, Justin Thomas stated that there was zero chance of him watching Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson battle it out in Las Vegas for $9 million. Now, Rory McIlroy is the latest Tour player to say he won’t be tuning in.
McIlroy, while speaking on Tuesday at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, told reporters that Phil Mickelson had even offered to cover the pay-per-view fee for the Irishman when they discussed the match during a FedEx Cup playoff event earlier in the year. But McIlroy made it clear today that he wasn’t in the least bit interested in the event, stating
“Look, if they had a done it 15 years ago, it would have been great. But nowadays, it’s missed the mark a little bit.”
McIlroy’s comments should not be surprising. The 29-year-old is no stranger to speaking his mind, and we can only speculate on what exactly he meant with his statement that the showdown has “missed the mark a little bit.” If McIlroy is suggesting that this event has missed the mark due to the match airing on PPV, then he is likely to find many supporters of the game in agreement with him — the $19.99 price tag for the exhibition has not gone over well. Or, if the fact that neither player is putting up a dime of their own money for the contest is what has failed to pique McIlroy’s interest, then he is again likely to find many who agree with his view.
However, whether the showdown between Woods and Mickelson would have been a greater spectacle fifteen years ago compared to present day is debatable. Woods is currently a prohibitive favorite to win the contest on Thanksgiving Friday with odds of -225. But in 2003, an untouchable Woods against a major-less Mickelson could very well have been a mismatch.
The Match between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson takes place on November 23 at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas.
What do you make of Mcilroy’s comments, GolfWRXers?
With the second major of 2026 now behind us, the PGA Tour arrives in Texas for the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
GolfWRX Tour Photographer, Greg Moore, is on site at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas, and he’s already captured several WITBs and a look at some new colorways of just-spotted L.A.B. Golf VZN.1i putters.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
- 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #1
- 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #2
- 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #3
WITB Albums
- Brennan Little (Gary Woodland’s caddy) – WITB – 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Adam Svensson – WITB – 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Martin Laird – WITB – 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Lee Hodges – WITB – 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Aaron Wise – WITB – 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Dylan Wu – WITB – 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- AJ Ewart – WITB – 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Pullout Albums
- New Graphite Design Tour AD shafts – 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- L.A.B. Golf VZN.1i putters (new colors) – 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
Aaron Rai upset the odds to win his first major championship on Sunday at Aronimink, firing a final round of 5-under par to see off his competitors and claim the winner’s check for $3,690,000.
Jon Rahm and Alex Smalley were the best of the chasing pack, with both men sharing runner-up spot which was good enough for each to receive a check for $1,804,000.
With a total prize purse of $20.5 million up for grabs, here’s a look at how much each player won at the 2026 PGA Championship.
Players who missed the PGA Championship cut each received $4,300 each.
1: Aaron Rai, $3,690,000
T2 : Jon Rahm, $1,804,000
T2 : Alex Smalley, $1,804,000
T4: Justin Thomas, $843,866
T4: Ludvig Aberg, $843,866
T4: Matti Schmid, $843,866
T7: Cameron Smith, $637,050
T7: Rory McIlroy, $637,050
T7: Xander Schauffele, $637,050
T10: Kurt Kitayama, $496,707
T10: Chris Gotterup, $496,707
T10: Justin Rose, $496,707
T10: Patrick Reed, $496,707
T14: Matt Fitzpatrick, $364,762
T14: Scottie Scheffler, $364,762
T14: Max Greyserman, $364,762
T14: Ben Griffin, $364,762
T18: Maverick McNealy, $229,128
T18: Jordan Spieth, $229,128
T18: Stephan Jaeger, $229,128
T18: Padraigh Harrington, $229,128
T18: David Puig, $229,128
T18: Harris English, $229,128
T18: Min Woo Lee, $229,128
T18: Joaquin Niemann, $229,128
T26: Nick Taylor, $125,523
T26: Alex Noren, $125,523
T26: Cameron Young, $125,523
T26: Andrew Novak, $125,523
T-26: Daniel Hiller, $125,523
T26: Tom Hoge, $125,523
T26: Sam Burns, $125,523
T26: Hideki Matsuyama, $125,523
T26: Bud Cauley, $125,523
T35: Christiaan Bezuidenhout, $78,805
T35: Patrick Cantlay, $78,805
T35: Ryo Hisatsune, $78,805
T35: Daniel Berger, $78,805
T35: Ryan Fox, $78,805
T35: Haotong Li, $78,805
T35: Aldrich Potgieter, $78,805
T35: Si Woo Kim, $78,805
T35: Martin Kaymer, $78,805
T44: Chris Kirk, $53,743
T44: Matt Wallace, $53,743
T44: Shane Lowry, $53,743
T44: Jhonattan Vegas, $53,743
T44: Denny McCarthy, $53,743
T44: Chandler Blachet, $53,743
T44: Taylor Pendrith, $53,743
T44: Dustin Johnson, $53,743
T44: Nicolai Hojgaard, $53,743
T44: Michael Kim, $53,743
T44: Kristoffer Reitan, $53,743
T55: Collin Morikawa, $34,186
T55: Corey Conners, $34,186
T55: Andrew Putnam, $34,186
T55: Brooks Koepka, $34,186
T55: Mikael Lindberg, $34,186
T60: Sami Valimaki, $29,218
T60: Sahith Theegala, $29,218
T60: Rico Hoey, $29,218
T60: Rickie Fowler, $29,218
T60: Brian Harman, $29,218
T65: Casey Jarvis, $26,900
T65: Jason Day, $26,900
T65: Rasmus Hojgaard, $26,900
T65: Keith Mitchell, $26,900
T65: Sam Stevens, $26,900
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Patrick Reed WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Titleist GT3 (9 degrees) Buy here. Shaft: Aldila Rogue Silver 130 M.S.I. 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi35 (15 degrees)...
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Driver: TaylorMade M6 (9 degrees) Shaft: Aldilda Synergy Blue 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue...
Michael Block WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black VeloCore+ 5 X 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees @14.25) Shaft: Mitsubishi...
Bryson DeChambeau WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Krank Formula Fire Pro (6 degrees) Shaft: Project X Prototype 3-wood: Krank Formula Fire (10 degrees) Shaft: LA Golf BAD...
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Bill
Nov 15, 2018 at 11:00 am
Rory doesn’t get it. Who would pay to watch Rory – Spieth. Or Rose – Koepka. It’s just good golf. A game I don’t have.
Gerry Elbridge
Nov 15, 2018 at 12:42 am
“It’s missed the mark”…so has Rory’s wedge game as of late.
Alphonzo Davidson Jr
Nov 14, 2018 at 10:20 pm
So what they are pass their prime! How many prize fighters have fought pass their prime. Do you watch the senior tour? YES you guys love watching Couples, Daly and others. Enjoy the spectacle for what it is an exhibition. The money, the sponsors are paying that. $20 bucks that’s less than you would pay for a ball cap. If you play golf you have some interest. So enjoy it.
There’s two common things in golfers that runs deep sandbagging handicaps and CHEAPNESS give it a rest.
James
Nov 14, 2018 at 5:16 pm
Rory hasn’t won much lately. I’m thinking he just can’t afford the PPV.
Tom
Nov 14, 2018 at 4:00 pm
After those pics from Tiger’s roadside arrest, I would pay to watch him drive in a demolition derby….”Tiger, Tiger, where is grampa’s automobile?”
Jim K
Nov 14, 2018 at 3:08 pm
Might have been interesting if they had a 2-man best ball match with Tiger & Phil v. two of the younger stars (Spieth & Thomas?). Players can take a lot more chances in best ball and there’s a lot more strategy involved.
Robert Edgar
Nov 14, 2018 at 2:26 pm
Boring. You could not pay me enough to watch this. A money grab from the suckers that watch.
Buster Douglas
Nov 14, 2018 at 12:55 pm
Rory is jealous. Its that simple. He only wishes he was in on it. P.S. Gianni change that photo, you look like a fruit.
Curt
Nov 14, 2018 at 12:08 pm
All I know is it’s worth watching without McIlroy and Dechambooo in it. As far as I’m concerned there’s no such thing as a good golfer anymore. There skill is all about modern equipment.
Dingo
Nov 14, 2018 at 12:21 pm
Tell me again Curt, how many extra chromosomes do you have?
Chuck
Nov 14, 2018 at 11:45 am
Rory said 10 years ago, not 15… Anyhow, it’s a boring match from two hasbeens. Weak sisters trying to relive their glory days. Wasted money and those watching are fools wasting their money.
kevin
Nov 14, 2018 at 12:21 pm
LOL its twenty bucks….ironically on the same day as most people wait in long lines to buy crap they don’t need.
to each their own, but 20 bucks for 4 hours of entertainment isnt a problem. this should be more entertaining than a typical match. there will be banter, side bets, drone footage, …
but hey, enjoy those black friday lines
Jack Nash
Nov 14, 2018 at 11:37 am
Rory is 100% correct. Two old guys reminiscing about the old days when this event might have been watchable, but certainly not now. This event could be similar to Gerardo’s Al Capones Vault.
Greg V
Nov 14, 2018 at 9:18 am
Rory just got dropped from Phil’s Christmas card list, which is fine by me.
The match is a stupid idea, and tone deaf with the destruction going on in California.
Mike
Nov 14, 2018 at 10:32 am
What? Does that mean the NFL should cancel all their games until a California wild fire is put out? I don’t think you should go to work until every immigrant child is reunited with their parents. There’s always a tragedy happening somewhere.
HearingImpaired
Nov 16, 2018 at 3:20 pm
Tone deaf with the destruction in California? I do hope you’re kidding, otherwise that’s quite possibly the most nonsensically self-righteous nonsense I’ve ever read. Good grief.
steveie
Nov 14, 2018 at 9:17 am
yes, would have been great anytime before 2008, and if they put up their own $$$. could not pay me to watch, LOL.
James Awad
Nov 14, 2018 at 1:37 pm
Funny …. I think the only way I might watch this greedfest is IF it was free & they WERE playing for their own money 🙂 – like 20% of their bank account death match…
JThunder
Nov 14, 2018 at 1:01 am
The golf world can think of nothing better to do with $9 million than have two guys at the end of their career play with no gallery and likely no TV audience… It’s a bit sick.
How about they both pony up $4.5 mil (nothing to either of them) and the money goes to the winner’s cause. SoCal wildfires? Education? Homeless? Vets without healthcare? Environment?
Johnny Penso
Nov 14, 2018 at 12:31 am
I’m all for people being free to speak their mind but IMO this is one of those things where if you have nothing nice to say, then shut the hell up. I don’t see what purpose it serves for a leading player in the game to throw shade at a one off event that he isn’t even participating in. Is your sport better off for you having trashed the event? Shut up, say it’s fine and you’ll probably watch it and hope it takes off and turns into a full on match play type event and you get invited at some point. Or don’t. It’ll live or die by it’s own merit and throwing shade on it before it’s even happened just makes you look bitter and envious and attention seeking.
Chilly P
Nov 13, 2018 at 8:58 pm
cool how you made the case that it was a stupid idea 15 years ago too. this is a yawner. No one cares. made more odious by the purse. makes them look bad. hopefully they will salvage a little face and donate the cash. feel like this will actually be awkward to watch.
Gunter Eisenberg
Nov 13, 2018 at 6:56 pm
Rory’s right. For me, if it was 17 years ago it would’ve been really relevant. Back then Tiger and Phil weren’t be best of friends back then and really wanted to beat each other up. I personally thought both were at the peak of their careers back then too. Remember, they were the final pair at the 2001 Masters. Go watch videos of it on Youtube. You could feel the tension between them and I don’t think they spoke a word to each other during that round.
Brian
Nov 13, 2018 at 5:50 pm
The winner gets 9 million for one round of golf. The Fed Ex cup winner, which the PGA tries to promote all year, has a playoff system, and is supposed to be the ultimate goal outside of majors, gets 10 million. That’s why the tour players hate it. It makes a mockery of their sport and it so called best player for that year.
DB
Nov 14, 2018 at 1:34 pm
You’re exactly right. I don’t plan on paying the PPV fee, but I’m sure many will given that Tiger and Phil are still extremely popular. The tour players giving the match a negative review are just upset that they aren’t in on the 9 million. You can guarantee if they were invited to the match they would suddenly think it’s a great idea.
8thehardway
Nov 13, 2018 at 5:26 pm
Here’s what would draw me in… They each get $1/2M to show up and $4M to bet, say $1/2M minimum, $1M max, one press allowed on the back 9, all bets must be called.
Bonus adrenaline rush – give caddies $1/2M each to bet with each other with $1K minimum.
larrybud
Nov 13, 2018 at 4:48 pm
It’s even more than that. I don’t mind the timing, even though they’re obviously both past their prime. But the fact that it’s PPV, and that there are no crowds. I mean, the crowds is what would make it fun. Who are these guys going to talk to? Who’s going to laugh at the lame jokes?
kevin
Nov 14, 2018 at 12:28 pm
i’m guessing a small crowd of 100 or so of who’s who among celebs and media.