Rory McIlroy remains in the prime of his career. Nevertheless, despite being far from the end, the four-time major winner insists he has no intention of becoming someone pursuing past glory that has already slipped beyond reach.

Speaking to the media Wednesday morning at TPC Sawgrass ahead of the Players Championship, McIlroy fielded several questions about the latest injury to Tiger Woods. On Tuesday Woods announced he ruptured his left Achilles and underwent surgery, a procedure that effectively sidelines him for all of the 2025 major championship season. “It sucks,” McIlroy said. “He doesn’t have much luck when it comes to injuries and his body. Obviously, he was trying to ramp up to get ready for Augusta, and Achilles surgeries obviously aren’t fun.” As Woods turns 50 this year, the latest move will raise further questions about the 15-time major winner’s golf mortality and what, if any, Tiger has left.

This sparked questions about McIlroy’s own longevity in the sport. It’s a somewhat peculiar inquiry for a 35-year-old ranked No. 2 in the world who has maintained remarkable physical durability throughout his career. Yet McIlroy, now an 18-year veteran of professional golf, made it clear Wednesday that while his competitive passion remains intense, he refuses to become someone clinging to fading embers when that fire eventually begins to diminish.

“I’ll be OK with that. I’m very happy to move aside for the younger generation to come through,” McIlroy said. “I can acknowledge how lucky golfers are to be able to do what they do for so long compared to other athletes, so whenever I feel like the time is right, I’ll have no problem moving aside and letting the next generation do their thing.”

McIlroy asserted his two markers for knowing when it will be time is when he’s achieved everything he’s wanted, and when he questions if he can still compete, having no appetite for being a ceremonial golfer.

“I’d also like to walk away with a little bit left in the tank. I don’t want to be out there embarrassing myself. I’d like to walk away maybe a little before I should. Put it that way. There’s always one more, but that’s OK. I think if you can come to terms with that and walk away on your own terms, then that’s a good thing.”

When Woods is able to return next year, he will be eligible to compete on the PGA Tour Champions, and Woods has previously expressed interest in playing the senior circuit. While that’s 15 years away for McIlroy, the Ulsterman does not have the same desire.

“Absolutely not,” McIlroys said. “Look, I’ve said a lot of absolutes in my time that I’ve walked back, but I do not envision playing Champions Tour golf. Something has went terribly wrong if I have to compete at golf at 50.”