Rory McIlroy’s decision to skip the upcoming Memorial Tournament has shocked golfing fans.
The PGA Tour recently revealed that the Green Jacket holder will not be taking part in the Jack Nicklaus-hosted event, which is set to begin this Thursday.
McIlroy hasn’t featured much since his Masters triumph, last taking to the field in the PGA Championship where he finished tied 47th.
But with the US Open just over two weeks away, many would have expected the Northern Irishman to feature in preparation ahead of Oakmont. McIlroy, however, seemingly has other ideas.
Rory McIlroy misses Memorial Tournament
It’s safe to say we haven’t seen the best of McIlroy since his Masters display, with the 36-year-old looking off the boil in his appearances since Augusta.
The Northern-Irishman was far from his best during the PGA Championship, barely making the cut in Charlotte and snubbing various media outlets throughout the tournament.
With this in mind, it seems like McIlory’s decision to axe the Memorial is almost a way of taking himself out of the limelight ahead of the US Open.
The five-time major champion has already committed to play in the RBC Canadian Open ahead of Oakmont and will likely use that as his Oakmont preparation.
McIlroy avoids PGA Tour fine
McIlroy’s Memorial absence will be the third time he has missed a Signature event this year – something that would have earned him a hefty fine in previous years.
The Grand Slam winner skipped The Sentry and the RBC Heritage back in 2023, earning himself a whopping £2.2 million fine in the process.
McIlroy, though, will avoid a fine this time around, due to a recent change in PGA Tour ruling.
That is because the golfing body recently scrapped its rule regarding missed Signature events, with golfers previously receiving fines for missing just one event.