Coming off the 2024 season, Rory McIlroy made one thing clear: “If I can trim it down to 22 or 23, that will be good for me in the long run.” Over the years, the Northern Irishman has played most of the PGA Tour events. But turning 36 now, he wants to give more time to rest and recovery and of course, his family. However, he did say that, “There were a few events I played in America this season that I don’t typically play, and I think that’s where I’m going to have to trim a little bit.” Still, it turns out he will be missing one that he has continuously appeared in since 2017. 

The PGA Tour released the Alpha Field List on Friday for the Memorial Tournament, the seventh of eight signature events on the Tour, hosted by the game’s legend who gave McIlroy the “Don’t do dumb things” advice to navigate Augusta, Jack Nicklaus. The Tour will send out a confirmed list once the ongoing Charles Schwab Challenge wraps up. However, Rory’s name was missing in the list of names that will be taking up the Muirfield Village Golf Club in Columbus, Ohio, soon. Of course, his followers were not very thrilled with the update.

This means that Rory is missing two straight events on the PGA Tour after choosing not to participate in the Charles Schwab Challenge ongoing this week in Texas. It is a surprising move from the PGA Tour pro, considering that the US Open at Oakmont is two weeks right after the Memorial. He will, however, play in the Canadian Open from June 5-8 at TPC Toronto. But maybe he just needed rest to perform great at the remaining two majors since his outing at Quail Hollow wasn’t that great. Rory’s best finish at the Memorial Tournament is a tie for third in 2015. Moreover, this year is not the first time that he has hinted at reducing his events count.

After last year’s Tour Championship as well, McIlroy noted about reducing his participation, “I’m usually sort of like a 22 (events) sort of person. But again, that was when I was sort of in my 20s and didn’t have the responsibilities that I do now. I’m going to try to cut it back to like 18 or 20 a year going forward, I think.” This year, he also missed Sentry and also missed the RBC Heritage. However, he has confirmed his presence in two new events, one in Australia and one in India. His debacle at the 2025 PGA Championship might have added to the decision too.

The PGA Championship was quite a surprising one on many fronts for Rory McIlroy. The 2025 Masters winner registered his worst ever result on the PGA Tour this season, finishing T47 with a score of 3 over par. He had not finished outside the top 20 before that. In the meantime, Scottie Scheffler, who chose to opt out of the Truist Championship earlier came into the Quail Hollow event, refreshed from the break, and won the entire tournament. Maybe, that is what McIlroy is following as well. Moreover, he does have a packed schedule in the coming weeks after the Columbus event where he might want to focus more: the Canadian Open, U.S. Open, and Travelers Championship all coming up.

Despite that, fans are still surprised by his non-participation at the seventh signature event of the season.

Fans were surprised by Rory McIlroy’s decision

Fans were quite disappointed in the news that the Career Grand Slam winner will not feature at the Memorial Tournament, with one fan expressing, “No Rory.” Another fan requested the 36-year-old to not miss the signature event, stating, “Scottie skipping the Truist is one thing. But skipping Jack’s tournament is very disappointing to see.”

The event is a special one for golf fans and not just because it is a signature event. The Memorial Tournament was founded by Jack Nicklaus in 1976 and takes place in Dublin, Ohio, where Jack Nicklaus spent most of his childhood. One reason why the Northern Irish golfer is not participating in the Ohio event could be motivation before the third major of the season.

The RBC Canadian Open is an event that Rory McIlroy has played the last 4 times it took place and has won the event twice during that span: The 2019 and the 2022 editions. He also finished in the top 10 in 2023 and 2024. McIlroy, in all likelihood, is looking for some momentum ahead of the US Open, and the Canadian Open is a familiar surface. “He always plays Canada, so that makes sense, but is that 3 signature events he’s missed now? What are the rules there?” One inquisitive fan asked.

This will be the third signature event McIlroy misses this season. He did not play in the season-opening Sentry and also missed the RBC Heritage right after his historic Masters victory at Augusta. He won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and finished T7 at the Truist Championship, while finishing in the top 20 at the Genesis Invitational and the Arnold Palmer Invitational. So, his record at the signature events is quite good. That did not prevent one fan from pointing out that McIlroy was, “S O F T. 3rd missed signature event btw.”

The fact that he is playing in a Canada-based event and not the US-based Memorial Tournament was a casual observation made by a fan who took the chance and quipped, “If he’s looking for more international events, there’s a league for that.”  The fan is talking about the LIV circuit, undoubtedly.

In the wake of the upcoming third major, what do you think of the Northern Irish golfer’s decision to skip the Memorial Tournament?