Golf ace Rory McIlroy urges for faster version of the sport to attract younger players

Northern Ireland golf ace Rory McIlroy has called for a 'faster version' of the sport in order to attract young players, as sport England figures have shown that the number of 16-25 year-olds playing the game regularly has almost halved between 2009-10 and 2012-13.

McIlroy said that everything's 'so instant now' and everyone 'doesn't have as much time as they used to', adding that one 'maybe needs to try some way of speeding the game up'. The golf ace, who won the Open and the US PGA in 2014, also said that the viewership in golf is up but the 'participation is down'.

He added that people 'enjoy watching the game' but gone are the days that one could spend five or six hours on a golf course, The BBC reported.

Also Read: Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy named European Tour's Golfer of the Year

Golf's authorities have been reluctant to bring in changes in the past, with The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews only agreeing to admit women to its membership in September. However, the world number one believes the sport's rule-makers are ready for new initiatives. He said that he 'doesn't think they'd be against it', especially if they wanted to get participation levels up.

McIlroy, who finished second to Lewis Hamilton in the voting for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, also said that he 'doesn't think they need to alter tournament play formats', and believes that 'works very well'. He added that the grass roots definitely are not at their level.

The Northern Irishman, who famously appeared on television to chip golf balls into a washing machine at the age of nine, wants young people to follow his example and take up the sport early in life.