Rory McIlroy admits he could “beef up” DP World Tour schedule in 2027 as LIV stars return
The World No.2 is targeting an outright record ninth Race to Dubai title in 2027, but the expected return of Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton and several other LIV Golf stars could force him to rethink his playing schedule.
Rory McIlroy has admitted he could be forced to beef up the back end of his DP World Tour schedule in 2027 as a host of former LIV Golf stars prepare to return to the circuit full-time.
The World No.2 is already now targeting an outright record ninth Order of Merit title next season after matching Colin Montgomerie's longstanding record of eight Race to Dubai crowns at the DP World Tour Championship on Sunday.
However, McIlroy believes his pursuit of another historic milestone will be made significantly more difficult by the expected full-time return of several high-profile LIV Golf players, including Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, who are both suspended from the PGA Tour until August 2027.
McIlroy was made to work hard for his latest Race to Dubai triumph, finishing solo second and five shots behind Hatton at Jumeirah Golf Estates, with Eugenio Chacarra putting up a remarkably strong challenge throughout the season finale.
The Northern Irishman now has the opportunity to surpass Montgomerie's record in 2027, but he is under no illusions about the challenge that awaits him.
"I think that's certainly a big incentive. Monty won seven in a row," said McIlroy, who has now won five Race to Dubai titles on the bounce.
Montgomerie claimed seven consecutive Order of Merit titles between 1993 and 1999, while McIlroy is now attempting to replicate that feat by winning the Race to Dubai every year from 2022 through to 2028.
But the returning LIV stars could make that ambition considerably harder to achieve.
And McIlroy knows it too.
Rahm won his first and only Race to Dubai back in 2019, while Hatton has yet to win the season race.
"Next year is going to be tough because you've got the likes of Jon and Tyrrell and some of these guys coming back and playing a full-time DP World Tour schedule," McIlroy added.
"Obviously I'll be sort of bouncing around a little bit on both the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour.
"So I think the Race to Dubai next year is going to be incredibly competitive, and yeah, it's going to be a little more difficult. Not that it's not difficult every year but even more difficult next year with those guys playing a full-time schedule over here."
McIlroy suggested he could respond by increasing his own playing commitments on the DP World Tour particularly towards the end of the season, depending on how closely he is positioned in the standings.
"I'll just have to go out there and play well and accumulate points early," added the six-time major champion.
"If I have to maybe beef up my schedule at the end of next year to try to compete with them, if I'm in with a close enough chance of doing it, I'll do that."
Next season is also a Ryder Cup year, with McIlroy, Rahm and Hatton all highly likely to make Luke Donald's team at Adare Manor from 17-19 September.
Watch McIlroy's comments here:
The DP World Tour is currently in the process of officially confirming its membership list for the 2027 campaign, with the player deadline falling on Sunday 15 November.
A DP World Tour spokesperson told GolfMagic that an official announcement on all memberships will be made on Tuesday 17 November.
Rahm and Hatton are among the biggest names expected to return to full-time action on the DP World Tour in 2027, with Ryder Cup record points scorer Sergio Garcia also set to join them.
Two-time major champion Bryson DeChambeau could also be in the frame for a return after his 2024 US Open victory at Pinehurst National afforded him an exclusive route back onto the DP World Tour for 2027.
Meanwhile, Joaquin Niemann and Lucas Herbert are among the former LIV Golf players reportedly handed invites to compete in at least 15 tournaments on the DP World Tour schedule next season.
There is also growing anticipation that major ex-LIV captains and major champions Dustin Johnson and Cameron Smith could accept similar arrangements, although their participation remains unconfirmed.
The full picture is expected to become clearer when the DP World Tour makes its official membership announcement on Tuesday.
For McIlroy, the prospect of facing a stronger full-time DP World Tour lineup in 2027 means his bid to stand alone at the top of the Order of Merit rankings could require more than simply maintaining his usual schedule.
The 37-year-old has arguably already cemented his status as the greatest golfer in European history, but with Rahm, Hatton and potentially several other former LIV stars back in the mix, 2027 could prove to be his toughest Race to Dubai campaign yet.
And if McIlroy is to finally move clear of Montgomerie, he may need to spend more time on the DP World Tour than he originally planned.
Sorry Erica and Poppy.
Andy Roberts first joined GolfMagic on a month's work experience back in April 2011.
Andy then assumed the role of GolfMagic Editor in 2015.
