McIlroy to Miss Out on Initial FedEx Cup Playoffs Tournament
Rory McIlroy Skips FedEx St. Jude Championship, Secures BMW Championship Spot
Rory McIlroy, the second-ranked player in the season-long FedEx Cup points standings, has decided to skip the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind. His decision, however, does not affect his participation in the later stages of the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
McIlroy, who finished T7 at The Open, has been taking a break from golf since then. He stated his intention to take a break for a few weeks after The Open, and his decision to skip the St. Jude Championship is in line with that plan.
The Northern Irish golfer is currently in a comfortable position in the FedEx Cup standings. He only needs to be in the top 50 of the FedEx Cup standings by the end of the tournament to progress to the BMW Championship. Given his current ranking, McIlroy is assured of his place in the second FedEx Cup Playoff event.
Skipping the St. Jude Championship does not jeopardize McIlroy's ability to compete for the FedEx Cup title. This ranking guarantees him a spot in the BMW Championship, which only takes the top 50 players, as well as the season-ending Tour Championship for the top 30 players.
McIlroy has been reducing his schedule this season, and his decision to skip the St. Jude Championship is part of this strategic approach. While some fans and commentators have criticized his choice to skip a key playoff event, the FedEx Cup format currently does not mandate it, allowing top players to skip events without elimination.
After the St. Jude Championship, McIlroy will be back in Europe in September for the Irish Open and the BMW PGA Championship. He will then head to India for his first-ever start at the DP World India Championship. After India, McIlroy will play two events in the United Arab Emirates for the climax of the DP World Tour's Race to Dubai.
McIlroy's next appearance on the PGA Tour will be at the Ryder Cup. He is also expected to play at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland in October. McIlroy will finish the year with an appearance at the Australian Open in December.
Despite his victory at The Masters in April, McIlroy admitted he had been struggling to motivate himself in the weeks following his victory. However, he hoped his appearance in his homeland for The Open would get him back on track. After a few weeks of rest, McIlroy seems ready to return to the golf course and continue his pursuit of the FedEx Cup title.
References:
- ESPN
- Golf Digest
- Sky Sports
- Golf Channel
- Golf.com
Rory McIlroy, on a break from golf since The Open, has decided to skip the golf event FedEx St. Jude Championship, aligning with his plan for a few weeks of rest. Regardless, his position in the FedEx Cup standings ensures his participation in the golf tournament BMW Championship.
