Masters champion Rory McIlroy will not be participating in the upcoming Memorial Tournament in Ohio, marking his first absence from the event since 2017.
The tournament, hosted by golf legend Jack Nicklaus, is set to take place at Muirfield Village from May 29 to June 1. McIlroy’s decision to skip this key PGA Tour stop is making headlines, especially as it will be the third signature event he has passed on this year.
This year has already seen the world number two opt out of both The Sentry and the RBC Heritage. His absence from the Memorial continues a trend that suggests McIlroy is actively reducing his tour commitments to preserve energy for major championships.
The Northern Irish golfer, now 36, hasn’t played a tournament since finishing tied-47th at the US PGA Championship. That event brought controversy when it was revealed he had replaced a “non-conforming driver” just before the major teed off. Notably, McIlroy declined to speak to the media following each of his four rounds at Quail Hollow.
The move to trim down his schedule isn’t entirely surprising. McIlroy had previously expressed his intention to manage his playing time more strategically this season. Fans and analysts alike have observed his focus shifting towards bigger international events and major tournaments.
Despite skipping some major PGA events, McIlroy is not stepping away from the spotlight entirely. He has announced plans to compete in India for the first time in October and will make a return to the Australian Open in December, his first appearance there in 11 years.
With two weeks away from competitive action, McIlroy is expected to return to tournament play at the Canadian Open on June 5. That event serves as a key warm-up before the season’s third major, the US Open at Oakmont, scheduled from June 12-15.
The PGA Tour’s final signature event of the season, the Travelers Championship, will follow in Connecticut just a week after the US Open. It remains to be seen if McIlroy will take part.
