Rory McIlroy might be performing well, but the question is, how long can the aging golfer compete against the rising talent on the PGA Tour? While there is no definite answer to the question, one thing is certain: he won’t back down. Moreover, he made it clear that playing on the PGA Tour Champions was not even an option.

PGA Tour Champions correspondent PJ Clark asked McIlroy on The Shotgun Start podcast if the latter would prefer to play on the circuit once he turned 50. The PGA Tour veteran replied:

“I still don’t see myself playing the Champions Tour. Look, I’m very fortunate that I’m in three of the four major championships until, at least the Masters until the powers that be tell me to not play anymore. And then the PGA Championship and The Open Championship until I’m sixty…”

Rory McIlroy also revealed his retirement plan, citing inspiration from Tennis icon Pete Sampras’ career, and further said:

“I loved how Pete Sampras won the US Open, took a little bit of time, didn’t really know what he was gonna do and then made an announcement a month later and said ‘I’m done.’ And you really haven’t heard from him since. He’s literally disappeared and I have so much respect for that…” (27:50)

Discussing Sampras’ 2003 retirement after winning the US Open the previous year, Rory McIlroy expressed a wish to replicate something similar. He has faced several questions about his retirement in the past, including the pre-tournament conference before the 2025 BMW PGA Championship.

McIlroy made it clear that he had no intention of continuing after the age of 50, which is the eligibility for playing on the PGA Tour Champions. Apart from that, the five-time major champ has been direct with his take on the senior circuit.

When Rory McIlroy shared his opinion about PGA Tour Champions

In March, during a press interaction at TPC Sawgrass before the Players Championship, Rory McIlroy was asked if he would like to play on the senior circuit.

McIlroy revealed his honest take and said:

“I’d like to walk away maybe a little before I should. I will not play Champions Tour golf. Look, I’ve said a lot of absolutes in my time that I’ve walked back, but I do not envision playing Champions Tour golf. Something went terribly wrong if I have to compete at golf at 50.”

Rory McIlroy’s statement then received a response from PGA Tour Champions player Ernie Els. On X, The Big Easy wrote that he said similar things to McIlroy when he was 35. However, Els also added he laughed at his own comments after aging and further advocated for the PGA Tour Champions.

Furthermore, 2x Senior US Open winner, Padraig Harrington, also commented on McIlroy’s statement. The six-time PGA Tour winner believed that McIlroy would change his firm stance on the senior circuit once he reached 50.