Rory McIlroy has snapped back at Charley Hoffman over his open letter to PGA Tour players where he expressed anger towards some members.
Hoffman detailed his belief that some players were prioritising other ventures over playing on the PGA Tour.
He wrote: “If we truly care about strengthening our Tour, we should be supporting as many PGA Tour events as we can.
“Many of you keep saying you want to play fewer events, yet you still find time for TGL, Race to Dubai, and other non-PGA Tour events, and that’s going to continue regardless of field size.
Rory McIlroy was asked about Charley Hoffman’s open letter
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“The best competition happens when the best players go head-to-head in a deep, competitive field — not in small, limited-entry events that leave deserving players on the outside looking in.
“This Tour was built on open competition, where anyone with the game to compete has a chance to prove it against the best.
“That’s what has made our Tour special for generations, and we need to keep pushing for that.”
McIlroy is a co-creator of the TGL and also competes on the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai every year.
He was also a part of the latest ‘Showdown’ match with Scottie Scheffler against Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka.
The four-time major winner felt Hoffman’s letter was directed mainly at him and hit back by suggesting players should largely be out for themselves.
“I think the thing he forgot to mention is the PGA TOUR owns 20 per cent of TGL, so he’s criticising his own product,” McIlroy said.
“They also own a good chunk of European Tour Productions, so again — I thought some of the elements of the letter were fine, and addressed some issues.
Charley Hoffman criticised a number of players
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“He was criticising the Aon Swing 5. He was sixth in that.”
He added: “He talks about having it be for the good of the Tour, but he’s also talking about himself, as well.
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Rory McIlroy has been active outside of PGA Tour events in recent months
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“I thought a couple of them were pointed at me a little bit because TGL, Race to Dubai, and non-PGA TOUR events like the Showdown that Scottie and I did in December, I’ve been vocal about not wanting to play quite as much so it seemed like it was pointed at me.
“What every player has to do is look out for themselves. We have to do what’s best for our own individual career and, yes, at the back of our mind try to do whatever we can to help the Tour.
“But I think the best way for any of us to help the Tour is to tee it up and play as best we can.”