With the first event of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup set to begin next week, one of the biggest names in golf was notably absent from the list of competitors ready to tee off. The 69-man list for the 2025 St. Jude Championship lacked World No. 2, Rory McIlroy as a player.
While this may come as a surprise to some, in November 2024 McIlroy spoke to The Telegraph on his likely absence from the event.
“I’ll probably not play the first playoff event in Memphis,” Said McIlroy. “I mean, I finished basically dead last there this year (tied for 68th in a 70-man field) and only moved down one spot in the playoff standings.”
Unfortunately, in previous years, McIlroy has not fared well at TPC Southwind. With no wins under his belt and finishing T68 last year, it makes sense why McIlroy won’t be in attendance.
In the same interview, McIlroy mentioned more cut backs to his 2025 schedule. Citing RBC Heritage, Valero Texas Open, and Cognizant Classic as events he would likely skip. He followed through on his word and was absent from all three.
With the recent changes made by the PGA, and Rory’s No.2 standing, missing the event does not prevent McIlroy from continuing to the next round of the playoffs. In fact, he will still be able to join the top 50 players at the BMW Championship. The second round of the playoffs is scheduled to begin August 14th through the 17th at Caves Valley Golf Club.
Changes to the Tour Championship
The PGA tour outlined three key changes they plan to make as part of a Fan Forward Initiative. These include the elimination of starting strokes, changes at East Lake Golf Club for heightened competition, and a tougher qualification system.
In previous years, the higher ranked players went into the FedEx Cup with an advantage. The No. 1 ranked player began the tournament at 10 under. The No. 2 player began at 8 under, and on from there with starting strokes descending until remaining players began with an even par. This year, all players will begin the tournament at even par thanks to these adjustments. A change-up that both fans and players support.
These new rules allow McIlroy to miss out on the first event while maintaining a high ranking throughout the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
McIlroy’s Season
Thanks to McIlroy’s 3 wins this season; The Masters Tournament, AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and The Players Championship, Rory sits at No.2 in FedEx Cup ranking. McIlroy has an edge over No. 3, Sepp Straka, by nearly 850 points.
McIlroy’s last three starts on Tour included a T6 at the Traveler’s Championship, a T2 at the Genesis Scottish Open, and a T7 at The Open at Royal Portrush.
The FedEx Cup Playoffs will begin in Memphis at TPC Southwind on August 7th, 2025. From here, the top 50 ranked players will move on to the BMW Championship in Maryland on August 14th. Following this, the Tour Championship will begin on August 24th, 2025 at East Lake Golf Course in Atlanta.
Rory McIlroy to Miss Playoff Opener in Memphis