In a dramatic turn of events, Rory McIlroy might once again warm the PGA Tour Policy Board chair that he did until November. Per some reports, Webb Simpson’s resignation has opened the doors for the Ulsterman. In fact, the former US Open Champion has explicitly requested that his vacant position be filled by the four-time Major winner. A vote on Wednesday is expected to decide McIlroy’s fate. 

While that is on a cliffhanger, for now, it seems there is no doubt about McIlroy’s willingness. Apparently, McIlroy wanted to focus more on his game, which is why he resigned as a player-director in November. Something that his former manager, Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler, thought was the right decision. In fact, what he said in an exclusive interview with Essentially Sports, reveals that McIlroy might be making an error in judgment this time.

Why Chandler felt ‘sorry’ for Rory McIlroy

Chandler makes no hiding the fact that the Tour policy board members could’ve and perhaps should’ve done more. For the last two years, in Tiger Woods’s absence, the Ulsterman emerged as the sole gunslinger for the Tour. Chubby Chandler echoed Brandel Chamblee in the EssentiallySports Exclusive. 

Chandler, who watched the Full Swing docu-series before fielding questions from Aravind Menon, said, “I thought it was very interesting because it’s it highlighted how wronged Rory had been by the PGA Tour. I mean, he’s been he’s been sat up there. He was the spokesman for 15 months, was very outspoken, bah, bah, bah. And then they didn’t bother to tell him that they were going to pull the rug for under his feet and make him actually pretty stupid.”

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Some of the choicest words against the PIF-funded league came from the Ulsterman. Unsurprisingly, Rory McIlroy was a war hero for some and a PGA Tour propagandist for others. Chandler believes that McIlroy’s ‘side hustle’ took a toll on his day job. 

Even the Ulsterman hinted that might be the case. Rory McIlroy explained later that he couldn’t fit everything into his schedule. And, by continuing to juggle between two vastly different duties, the 24-time PGA Tour winner didn’t want to hurt his Masters chance. 

Chandler said in the ES Exclusive, “And, and I feel sorry for him. You know, I think I think he he wasted a year of his golf career. Being involved in a lot of things that in the end, nobody listen to. And you’d have never got Jack Nicklaus to Tiger Woods doing that.” 

As the Ulsterman looks to return to the board he once left, Chandler’s comments once again offer a different perspective. Moreover, the job this time won’t be any easier as Rory McIlroy constantly finds himself alone for his radically changed stance. 

Why McIlroy might face more resistance this time around

McIlroy’s comments after leaving the Tour Policy Board took the world by surprise. From regretting his previous ‘judgmental’ comments to proposing that LIV Golfers should be allowed to come back without any punishment, Ulsterman’s much-publicized remarks haven’t found backing even from his PGA Tour peers. 

Justin Thomas, Scottie Scheffler, and Rickie Fowler, all disagreed with Rory McIlroy regarding LIV players’ inclusion. The reigning Masters champion wanted to see some form of repercussion, although not as harsh as Thomas. Fowler, too, believes the road won’t be easy considering what went on in the past few years. Golf Digest reported that Tiger Woods, too, wasn’t in favor of this. 

Also of note is that Rory McIlroy removed himself from the fray. He left a WhatsApp group of PGA Tour stars, just to block all the noise. Whether Yasir Al-Rumayyan’s direct involvement in the ongoing negotiation has swayed his decision is anyone’s guess. But, all things considered, the PGA Tour Pro’s return to the hot seat is as confusing as ever.