Rory McIlroy admits it is a shame to see the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play absent from the 2024 schedule but hopes to see a match play event added to the PGA Tour calendar for 2025.
The final edition of the WGC Match Play in Austin Country Club was a thrilling spectacle for fans on site and television viewers alike with several players and much of the public lamenting the removal of the tournament next year.
McIlroy was the standout player in terms of entertainment with four of his seven matches reaching the 18th while he was beaten on the 19th by Cameron Young in the semi final in Texas.
Playing as a warm up for the Masters next week, the match play served its purpose for the Holywood star who got better with each match with his new driver shaft and putter performing superbly.
“Hopefully it’s not in the rear view mirror for too long,” said McIlroy. “It’s not on the schedule for 2024, but that’s not to say that it won’t be on the schedule for 2025. I think if you look at player sentiment, if you look at public opinion, I think it will be a real shame not to have a match play event on the schedule, no matter what it is or where it is.
“Match play is the purest form of the game and for the biggest tour in the world not to play a match play event would be a real shame. So, look, for one year, 2024, it’s not going to be here, but hopefully in the future it is.”
The four-time major champion is purring with confidence ahead of his latest tilt at the Career Grand Slam as he looks to end a run of nine years without a major title.
“The only thing I’ll be disappointed about this week are those final three holes this morning against Cam, not being able to put him away being 2-up with three to go. But apart from that, really bullish on where my game is, especially knowing what’s around the corner in a couple weeks’ time. It’s always nice.
“Like, I’ve been in one of these consolation matches before and it’s — you know, it’s hard to regroup and get yourself together to go out there and compete again, but I felt like did I a really good job of that and hung in there mentally and was able to get one over on Scottie, which was nice.”
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