McIlroy makes his season debut on the U.S.-based circuit this week at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, one of the tour’s $20 million signature events. It’s a big week—or at least it’s supposed to be, with a limited field of 80 players that includes 45 of the top 50 in the world playing one of the most iconic courses on the planet.

The four-time major champion has a lot of thoughts on the state of pro golf but said “we shouldn’t try to dumb down golf to appeal to more people.”