Rory McIlroy leverages PGA Tour rule alteration to bypass £15million tournament
In a surprising move, four-time major champion Rory McIlroy has announced that he will not participate in the St. Jude Championship, a FedEx Cup Play-off event in Memphis next week. The Northern Irish golfer's decision is based on his secure standing in the FedEx Cup points, his desire to rest, and his prior lack of success at the St. Jude event rather than any necessity driven by changes in playoff scoring rules.
McIlroy, who is currently second on the FedEx Cup table, behind Scottie Scheffler, has been on a break since the Open Championship. He aims to maintain freshness for the rest of the season, which includes major events like the Ryder Cup. Last year, McIlroy finished next to last at the St. Jude Championship, and he feels there is no significant gain in playing this event given his strong position in the points race.
The St. Jude Championship, held at TPC Southwind, is part of the PGA Tour series and carries a prize money of approximately £15 million. The event will have 69 players instead of the usual 70, due to McIlroy's absence. The PGA Tour released a list on Friday night that did not include McIlroy for the event.
In the past, each player started on a certain number under par, depending on where they finished in the FedEx Cup standings. However, the PGA Tour has removed starting strokes from the Tour Championship, meaning that players' standing in the event is now based solely on their performance during the tournament.
Last year, Scheffler claimed victory in the Tour Championship despite being out-scored by Colin Morikawa and Sahith Theegala. If the previous rule were still in place, McIlroy would have started the Tour Championship on eight under, while Scheffler would have been ten under.
McIlroy's decision to skip the St. Jude Championship is a blow for the PGA Tour. The tournament, which takes place in Memphis, is held at TPC Southwind. Despite the absence of a rule for replacing a player who withdraws, there will be no replacement for McIlroy at the St. Jude Championship.
As the FedEx Cup Play-offs continue, McIlroy will prepare for the second play-off event at the BMW Championship. The temperature during the St. Jude Championship is expected to be 33 degrees throughout the tournament.
[1] McIlroy Skips St. Jude Championship [2] McIlroy's Decision to Skip St. Jude Championship [3] Why McIlroy is Skipping the St. Jude Championship [4] McIlroy's Break before Key Tournaments
[1] Despite being in a strong position in the FedEx Cup points race, four-time major champion Rory McIlroy has decided to skip the St. Jude Championship, a FedEx Cup Play-off event.
[2] His choice stems from his desire to rest and maintain freshness for the rest of the season, particularly for major events like the Ryder Cup, and his lack of success at the St. Jude event in the past.
