Rory McIlroy defends PGA no-cut policy despite LIV stars mocking decision

Rory McIlroy has defended the PGA Tour's decision to introduce a number of no-cut events in 2024.

The tour has ratified a number of changes that would see reduced fields made up of the top 50 players of the previous year's FedEx Cup standings as part of their changes.

But LIV Golf stars such as Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, as well as Greg Norman's son, have mocked the move.

LIV Golf players are unable to earn world ranking points with the lack of cuts and 54 holes events among the reasons.

And former world number one, Westwood said: "I’ve spent the last year reading how good full fields and cuts are!".

While Ian Poulter said: "Sounds somewhat familiar… Now I can’t wait to hear all the backtracking of comments from the last 7 months.".

But McIlroy defended the move.

Speaking ahead of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, he said: "We’ve always had no-cut events on this Tour.

“If you think of the four World Golf Championships, the three playoffs events, the CJ Cup, the Zozo. So there’s precedent there. The only reason no-cut events are a big deal is because LIV has come along.

“There’s been no-cut events since I’ve been a member of the Tour and way beyond that as well. Is there going to be a few more of them? Maybe. “It keeps the stars there for four days.

"You ask Mastercard or whoever it is to pay $20m for a golf event, they want to see the stars at the weekend. They want a guarantee the stars are there.

“At the end of the day, we’re selling a product to people. The more clarity they have on that product and knowing what they’re buying is really important.”

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