Rory McIlroy comes clean on Wyndham Clark Player of the Year comments

Aug 23, 2026, 9:00 PM CUT

February 22, 2026, Pacific Palisades, California, USA: Rory McIlroy approaches hole 18th during Round 4 of the 2026 Genesis Invitational Golf Tournament on Sunday February 22, 2026 at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California. JAVIER ROJAS/PI Pacific Palisades USA - ZUMAp124 20260222_zaa_p124_314 Copyright: xJavierxRojasx

World No. 2 Rory McIlroy was certain about the POTY. However, now he faces ambiguity. At the BMW Championship, the Northern Irishman revealed that the POTY debate is open again, with reigning US Open champion Wyndham Clark leading the charge at Bellerive.

Before the BMW Championship, World No.1 Scottie Scheffler was McIlroy’s clear choice for the POTY award. However, now, the 37-year-old seems to be taking his words back.

“Yeah, I mean, I think I said what I said earlier in the week a little bit in jest. But at the same time, Scottie was coming off the win last week,” McIlroy said to CBS Sports’ Amanda Balionis.

Now, the six-time major winner believes that Clark should be included in the conversation.

SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND - JULY 18: Rory McIlroy NIR walks from the third green during Round 3 of the 154th Open Championship at the Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Southport on July 18, 2026 in Merseyside, England The 154th British Open Championship

“What Wyndham is doing this week, you know, if he keeps playing the way he is, it is, it’s a conversation,” he added, as per Golf on CBS' X post.

Heading into the final round of the BMW Championship, Clark holds a comfortable five-stroke lead. He is en route to his third title of the season after the CJ Cup Byron Nelson and US Open.

At the moment, Clark is very much a POTY contender, but the debate was pretty much over last week.

At the FedEx St. Jude Championship, Scheffler turned his season around with a staggering eight-stroke win.

Scheffler’s two titles and his all-around performance this season still make him the favorite, as per McIlroy.

“If you look at Scottie’s statistical profile, it’s just like he’s number one in strokes gained. He’s number one in scoring average. He’s number one in so many statistical categories,” McIlroy said.

Member votes decide the winner. If Clark holds on to his lead on Sunday, the players will have to make their choice judiciously.

On one hand, it would be Scheffler with his two wins and immaculate statistical profile. On the other hand, it will be Clark with his three wins, one of them being a major.

Beyond POTY, McIlroy weighed in on another hot topic, the return of LIV stars.

Rory McIlroy questions LIV stars' value

Ahead of the BMW Championship, McIlroy made his opinion clear regarding the return of LIV stars to the PGA Tour.

“I mean, I would argue, have they brought value to LIV?” McIlroy said, as per Sky Sports’ Ali Stafford. “I think the PGA Tour is in a really good spot. I’m not part of the discussions, but I’m pretty sure they aren’t going to be welcomed back straight away.”

The PIF withdrew its funding of LIV after incurring massive losses for years, including nearly $600 million in 2024 alone. McIlroy believed the onus was on the LIV stars.

With LIV Golf’s future still uncertain, the LIV stars have started assessing their future options. The PGA Tour would possibly be the best option.

However, according to McIlroy, that would be a “tough road back.” Heavy penalties will surely be levied on those returning from the breakaway tour.

Written by

Avishek Sarkar

Edited by

Rudra Dubey