Rory McIlroy is not “enthused” about playing on the PGA Tour and the FedEx Cup playoffs. This made headlines last month and the five-time major winner became the victim of major backlash.
He believes the new format, in which everyone in the Top 30 qualifies for the Tour Championship regardless of rank, makes the first two events meaningless. That is the reason he is also picking and choosing his schedule.
But contrary to his words, McIlroy is going to tee off in all of the three FedEx Cup events this summer. Last year, he skipped the St. Jude Championship, a decision he is not repeating this time.
McIlroy is also committed to the Amgen Irish Open and the BMW PGA Championship scheduled for Sept 10-13 and 17-20, respectively. So, barring one week, he will be in action for five weeks in the upcoming days.
That is a massive stretch and a rare occurrence in McIlroy’s calendar, judging by his schedule choices this year.
Rory McIlroy is Coming Off a Big Break With Wife Erica Stoll
GettyRory McIlroy poses with his daughter, Poppy and wife, Erica Stroll, after winning the Amgen Irish Open.
McIlroy informed the press during The Open that he will not be teeing up again before the St. Jude Championship. He will be using the break to spend time with his family.
He stuck to that plan in a very public way.
McIlroy and close friend Shane Lowry flew to Greece with their wives to blow off some steam. After that, the two-time Masters winner took a detour.
Video surfaced on social media showing McIlroy dancing at Pacha Ibiza in Spain. Stoll didn’t appear in that particular clip.
McIlroy said that he did not get time to celebrate his Masters win properly during the year and that he would be using the break to do it properly. His escapades were part of that.
There’s precedent for the celebration style too. Last year, after completing his career Grand Slam at the Masters, McIlroy was filmed celebrating at a beach club in Saint-Tropez. The swing this summer reads like a repeat of that same instinct.
Rory McIlroy Headlines a Dying Event
The PGA Tour Policy Board approved a sweeping two-tier system in late June, splitting the Tour into a Championship Series and a Challenger Series starting in 2028.
The Tour Championship itself will leave East Lake after 2027 and rotate among courses like Pine Valley, Cypress Point and Seminole, with match play joining the postseason for the first time.
With the Tour’s long-term deal with FedEx ending, the St. Jude Championship will not be a part of the Championship Series starting in 2028.
Rory McIlroy Announces Career Decision Ahead of the FedEx Cup Playoffs