Rory McIlroy has hit back at Charley Hoffman’s frustration at the TGL schedule.
The PGA Tour veteran wrote a letter expressing his disappointment at a perceived lack of commitment to the core events by some of the Tour’s players.
The letter cited pace of play and the effectiveness of the Aon Swing 5 initiative as key issues currently hampering the Tour.
He also suggested ways in which the players could improve their relationship with broadcaster partners.
But it was his criticism of players that have pushed for fewer tournaments all while turning out at non-PGA Tour events including the TGL and the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai, that has drawn the attention of McIlroy.
Hoffman said: “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.”
Asked about Hoffman’s comments on players having external commitments, the Northern Irishman viewed them as a personal target due to his active role in the TGL and DP World Tour.
“I think the thing he forgot to mention is the PGA Tour owns 20 per cent of TGL, so he’s criticising his product,” said McIlroy.
“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.
“He was criticising the Aon Swing 5. He was sixth in that.”
“He talks about having it be for the good of the Tour, but he’s also talking about himself, as well.
“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 [Scheffler] 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.”
Just days after his Pebble Beach Pro-Am victory, McIlroy’s Boston Common Golf team tasted defeat in the TGL in Florida, losing 6-2 to Collin Morikawa’s Los Angeles Golf Club.
Tommy Fleetwood, who was drafted in to replace Sahith Theegala in the Boston team, for had to repeat his 167-yard approach shot on the second hole after the technology used in the event claimed his ball had moved less than a yard.
“I promise I hit it better than that. I swear I hit it better than that,” Fleetwood joked.
Morikawa’s team moved into a 5-0 lead before US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley got Boston’s off the mark by beating Justin Rose in singles.
But Los Angeles proved too strong on the night and went on to complete a 6-2 victory.