'Very involved' – McIlroy could possibly be banned from exploiting PGA Tour loophole

PGA Tour gamers could possibly be banned from skipping playoff occasions after Rory McIlroy determined to overlook the St. Jude Championship.

This week’s match at TPC Southwind opens the playoff system for the FedEx Cup, the tour’s championship trophy.

McIlroy was a part of the 70-man area however will miss out on a $20million [£15m] complete prize purse having chosen to decide out.

His determination comes after the PGA Tour dropped beginning strokes and introduced again a 72-hole stroke format on the Tour Championship.

In earlier editions, the participant with essentially the most FedEx Cup factors was allowed to begin ten-under par on the East Lake Golf Membership in Atlanta.

McIlroy is second within the FedEx Cup level standings and already set to characteristic within the 50-man area on the BMW Championship.

However he will not be concerned on the St. Jude Championship, with PGA participant director Peter Malnati left sad with such an enormous no-show.

“Very involved,” he stated by way of Golfweek when requested about his worries over the reigning Masters champion being absent.

And in response to the introduction of a safety measure, he stated: “I believe there may be stuff within the works and I am going to depart it at that.”

Nonetheless, his fellow director Webb Simpson stated: “I don’t know Rory’s motive however I completely get it. It’s a tough to factor to repair.”

The elimination of beginning strokes means McIlroy is unlikely to see his hopes of profitable the championship impacted by lacking an occasion.

He’s all-but assured to stay within the high 30 of the FedEx Cup factors and compete for the Tour Championship.

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McIlroy, together with the remainder of the 30-man area, might be set to begin on degree par on the closing playoff occasion this yr.

Whichever participant finishes with the bottom rating after 4 rounds might be topped because the FedEx Cup champion.

McIlroy and his ideas on TPC Sawgrass

TPC Sawgrass is the place the PGA Tour headquarters are situated.

It additionally hosts the The Gamers Championship, one of many tour’s flagship occasions and a match McIlroy has received on two events.

The Northern Irishman received his second title earlier in 2025, however has beforehand expressed his dislike for the Floridian course.

“I do not just like the course,” he stated earlier than the Dubai World Championship in 2010. “That is one of many causes I am undecided whether or not to play it or not.”

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“It is a Pete Dye course. It creates angles, a bit like Whistling Straits,” he added. “He designed that course as properly, the place the tee packing containers are type of lining you up within the incorrect course.

“Visually it’s totally powerful off the tee. It makes you’re feeling uncomfortable as a result of it seems to be such as you’ve solely obtained a bit little bit of fairway to hit however truly when you rise up there, it is a bit bit wider.

“It is simply very demanding visually.”