Page 18 - ARUBA TODAY

A18 SPORTS
Thursday 20 February 2020
Rory McIlroy delivers strong rejection to proposed new tour

By DOUG FERGUSON some changes on this tour
AP Golf Writer that can help it grow and
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Rory move forward." As an ex-
McIlroy became the first ample, he mentioned re-
top player to publicly re- warding top players.
ject the idea of a proposed He left no doubt where he
new tour, saying he val- stood on Wednesday.
ues his choice of where to "The more I've thought
play over whatever money about it, the more I don't
the Premier Golf League is like it," he said. "The one
promising. thing as a professional golf-
"I would like to be on the er in my position that I value
right side of history on this is the fact that I have au-
one," McIlroy said Wednes- tonomy and freedom over
day at the Mexico Cham- everything that I do."
pionship. He used the World Golf
McIlroy said the only thing Championships in Mexico
that could change his mind as an example. Eight play-
were if all the top players ers from the top 50, includ-
decided to join, and he ing Woods and Brooks Ko-
doesn't see that happen- epka, decided not to play
ing. this week.
"I think it's very split at the "If you go and play this oth-
moment," he said. er golf league, you're not
Talk of a Premier Golf going to have that choice,"
League has been around he said. "I've never been
for about six years and one for being told what to
picked up momentum — Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, chips onto the second green during the final round of the Gen- do, and I like to have that
along with serious funding, esis Invitational golf tournament at Riviera Country Club, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, in the Pacific autonomy and freedom
primarily from Saudi Arabia Palisades area of Los Angeles. over my career, and I feel
— in recent months. Orga- Associated Press like I would give that up
nizers have been talking by going to play this other
to players and agents the cut and a shotgun start to the tour has contracts play as often as 22 times a league.
last few months in the Ba- fit a five-hour broadcast with title sponsors for a full year if the league has an "For me, I'm out," he said.
hamas, Australia and last window. Total prize money schedule and television 18-tournament schedule. "My position is I'm against
week in Los Angeles. would be $240 million, and partners, anyone joining "Tiger is 44. He's got two it until there may come a
Phil Mickelson, who played the top player could earn the Premier Golf League young kids," McIlroy said. day that I can't be against
with officials involved dur- as much as $50 million. would have to give up their "He openly said last week it. If everyone else goes, I
ing the pro-am in the Saudi McIlroy said money is PGA Tour memberships. he wants to play 12 times a might not have a choice.
International last month, "cheap." The Premier Golf League's year, so this league is pro- But at this point, I don't like
said Sunday he was not "Money is the easy part," schedule would not in- posing 18. So he's not going what they're proposing."
ready to announce his in- McIlroy said. "It shouldn't clude the majors. And still to do it." McIlroy referenced Ar-
tentions but might be ready be the driving factor. Look, to be determined is if the When first asked about nold Palmer speaking out
to state his view publicly by for some people it is. And Official World Golf Rank- the new league at Torrey against Greg Norman's
The Players Championship. we're professional golfers ing board — represented Pines last month, McIlroy proposed world tour from
Tiger Woods has said only and we're out here play- by major tours and golf or- said golf was entering a the 1990s, in which the
that he and his people ing golf to make a living. ganizations — would allow new era and the Premier top 30 players in the world
were looking into it. But at the end of the day, I the league to get ranking Golf League proposal had would meet at locations
The idea of the Premier Golf value my freedom and my points. The world ranking is exploited a few areas of around the world. From
League is to invigorate golf autonomy over everything used to help determine the weakness, without detail- that uprising, the PGA Tour
by putting together 12 four- else." field for majors. ing what they were. developed the World Golf
man teams that would be PGA Tour Commissioner Jay For someone like Woods — While he said then he didn't Championships in 1999,
required to play 18 events Monahan sent a memo to the biggest draw in golf — believe it was the best way which brought together
— 10 of them in the U.S. — players last month that ef- to play in the new league, to go, McIlroy suggested the top players from six
that feature 54 holes, no fectively said that because he might be required to it could be a "catalyst for tours around the world.q

Sun acquire January, send Williams to Dream in 3-way deal

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) 2 forward Jessica Breland cut reach the Finals last trade. with the players that have
— The Connecticut Sun and 6-1 forward Nia Coffey season. "Unfortunately, despite a burning desire to help
acquired guard Briann from Atlanta. "What fans will love the our best efforts and all the the Connecticut Sun hang
January from Phoenix on The 33-year-old January, most about Courtney is the loyalty and support we've the franchise's first champi-
Wednesday in a three-way who has been named to joy and passion they will shown Courtney over the onship banner."
deal that sent fan favorite the WNBA's All-Defensive see every time she steps last four seasons, it be- Breland, a shot blocking
Courtney Williams to the team six times, averaged out on the court," Atlanta came clear she no longer specialist, 32 on Sunday,
Atlanta Dream. 6.5 points and 3.3 assists in coach Nicki Collen said. wanted to return to Con- averaged 7.5 points and
The Sun also get a second- 33 games for Phoenix last Connecticut Sun coach necticut," he said. "I will look 6.0 rebounds last season.
round draft pick from the season. and general manager back fondly on the memo- Coffee, 24, averaged 5
Mercury. Williams, 25, averaged 13.2 Curt Miller made it clear ries we created together, points and 2.8 rebounds in
Phoenix received 6-foot- points in helping Connecti- that Williams wanted the but my focus as always is 2019 for Atlanta.q