Rory McIlroy fears downplayed by golf chief amid drastic change to 2025 season

DP World Tour chief Guy Kinnings insists he is not worried about seeing less of Rory McIlroy in 2025.

McIlroy recently revealed plans to take a minimalistic approach with his schedule next year, chopping down the number of tournament appearances.

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Fans are set to see a lot less of McIlroy in 2025Credit: Getty

The world no.3 will compete in his 27th worldwide event of 2024 at the European circuit’s Tour Championship on Thursday.

Speaking in September, McIlroy said: “I’m going to try to cut it back to like 18 or 20 a year going forward, I think.

“It’s been a long season, and I’m going to just have to think about trying to build in a few extra breaks here and there next year and going forward.”

McIlroy’s time is hugely important for the DP World Tour, which has suffered a decline in stature over recent years and decades.

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However, CEO Kinnings has moved to downplay any fears over the Northern Irishman’s DP World Tour schedule next year.

Kinnings said: “I speak to him very regularly, because he’s so important to us.

“I’m not going to speak for him on his schedule, but I’m not worried about him supporting us the way he has done.

“He makes his own decision as to what his actual schedule is, but he’s been such an unbelievable supporter of ours.

“I have no idea on numbers – all I know is I’m confident that he will support this tour in the way he always has.”

This week’s season-ending tournament in Dubai will be McIlroy’s seventh DP World Tour event of the season.

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Kinnings [right] replaced Keith Pelley as the DP World Tour’s CEO in AprilCredit: Getty

It is understood most of the cutback will be to his PGA Tour schedule, having already named a number of events in America that will get the chop.

“There’s a few tournaments that I played this year that I don’t usually play and that I might not play next year,” McIlroy said earlier this month.

“Like, I played the Cognizant [Classic] in Palm Beach Gardens, [the Texas Open in] San Antonio and the [RBC Heritage in] Hilton Head.

“And I’ll probably not play the first play-off event in Memphis. I mean, I finished basically dead last there this year, and only moved down one spot in the play-off standings.”

He added: “At this point in my career… Hey, I’m 35 and have been out here for 17, 18 years, so I’m just going to go to the places that I enjoy and where I play well.

“I’ve done the hard slog, I’ve done that sort of 25 to 30 events a year. And I’m not getting any younger.”

Rory McIlroy celebrates wildly after pipping Gareth Bale in wiping out drone with stunning shot

McIlroy’s comments came after his major drought extended beyond ten years with another fruitless season at golf’s biggest events.

However, the four-time major winner is well-poised to claim a sixth Race to Dubai title at Jumeirah Golf Estates this week.

South African Thriston Lawrence must win the event and hope McIlroy finishes outside solo 11th to affect the outcome.