Charley Hull has responded to Rory McIlroy’s recent remarks about the possibility of five majors in the men’s game, arguing that it works well enough for the women. McIlroy has already claimed every major in golf, completing his career Grand Slam in 2025 with his maiden green jacket at the Masters.
The Player’s Championship, which the Northern Irishman has won twice, has long been dubbed ‘the fifth major’ in men’s golf. Earlier in February, the tournament advertised the event on their social media channels with the caption: “March is going to be major.” This has fuelled suggestions that the March tournament will become an official major in men’s golf – something that McIlroy opposes.
Referring to the rumours in relation to his victories at the Player’s Championship, the 36-year-old said: “Look, I’d love to have seven majors instead of five, that sounds great.
“I think the Players is one of the best golf tournaments in the world. I don’t think anyone disputes that or argues that. I think from a player perspective it’s amazing. I think from an on-site fan experience it’s amazing. It’s an amazing golf course, location, venue.
Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings.
“But I’m a traditionalist, I’m a historian of the game. We have four major championships.”
Discussing the women’s game, McIlroy added: “If you want to see what five major championships looks like, look at the women’s game. I don’t know how well that’s went for them.”
McIlroy’s remarks prompted even more discussion about the prospect of a fifth major in the men’s game. Hull responded to the Northern Irishman’s comments by maintaining that having five majors in the women’s calendar works exceptionally well for them.
When questioned about how the current women’s game compares to the men’s, she told Bunkered: “I’m very happy having five majors. It’s one more chance to win one each year than the men!”
In contrast to McIlroy, Hull is yet to claim a major championship, finishing runner-up at the British Open, US Open and Chevron Championship.
During the conversation about major championships, the Northern Irishman also advocated for the US PGA Championship to return to its former August slot to become the “last shot at glory” once more. McIlroy said: “It needs to go back to August,” in order to avoid being squeezed between the Masters and US Open.
He added: “The Players, it doesn’t need to be anything else. I would say it’s got more of an identity than the PGA Championship does at the minute.
“So from an identity standpoint, I think the Players has got it nailed. It stands on its own without the label, I guess.”