Rory McIlroy makes bold prediction with huge DP World Tour implications: ‘Which I usually do!’

Rory McIlroy believes the number of DP World Tour players earning PGA Tour cards could be cut down to just four amid the radical overhaul on the American circuit from 2028.

The six-time major champion is currently in contention to win the Abu Dhabi Championship, but that hasn’t stopped him from offering his thoughts on what the future holds for the DPWT.

With the PGA Tour revamping the schedule in 2028, introducing a Championship and Challenger Series, this could have ramifications for those on the European circuit.

Under the current format, the leading ten players on the Race to Dubai standings who are not already exempt earn PGA Tour cards for the following season.

That number, however, could soon be significantly reduced as both tours continue to discuss the future of their relationship heading into 2027 and beyond.

Speaking to Today’s Golfer at Yas Links, McIlroy claimed that there might only be four tour cards on offer as the battle for PGA Tour status gets tougher.

“I thought five was a nice number,” he said. “I think it would probably be a little less than that. I’d say it’ll probably be four. If I know what I’m talking about, which I usually do! 

“I think the PGA Tour were sort of on three. European Tour were on five. I think they’ll meet in the middle and I think it’ll be four.”

The reduction from ten cards to four certainly leaves fewer opportunities for those on the DPWT to impress, highlighting the importance of performing well across the whole Race to Dubai campaign in future.

Rory McIlroy sees major opportunity for the DP World Tour

While it looks as though the number of PGA Tour cards is going to decrease, the proposed changes presents an ideal opportunity for the DPWT to showcase how good it is during certain months of the year.

The Championship Series is expected to run between February and August, giving the European circuit plenty of time to shine.

“I’ve said it from whenever it was announced, the [PGA Tour’s revamped] Championship Series gives the DP World Tour five months to shine, September through to January,” McIlroy added.

“That’s where the DP World Tour can really showcase its best events and its best players.

“The top guys will be done with the PGA Tour season. Then you have the core membership that’ll be battling it out through the summer months and then trying to get themselves into these bigger tournaments at the end of the year. It is the blueprint for the DP World Tour, absolutely.”

These comments come following the collapse of LIV Golf, with former members such as Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson and Tyrrell Hatton potentially turning towards playing on the DPWT next year.

The PGA Tour has delayed its decision on the future of former LIV players until at least the beginning of 2027, giving the European circuit more leeway when it comes to further boosting its profile.

McIlroy believes that the DPWT has a golden opportunity to strengthen its position and it will be interesting to see what happens next.