McIlroy Backs Out of Memorial, Tour Supports Flexibility

Rory McIlroy is skipping his third PGA Tour signature event of the season, the Memorial Tournament, marking his first absence from Jack Nicklaus's event since 2017. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has publicly supported McIlroy, highlighting the tour's flexible scheduling model and McIlroy's overall contributions, including recent major wins. A recent rule change now allows top players to miss signature events without financial penalties, unlike last year when McIlroy was fined £2.2 million for missing two such events. The change, aimed at retaining top talent and prioritizing player autonomy, has drawn mixed reactions from fans and other players. Ongoing criticism persists over the PGA Tour’s enforcement of other rules, especially regarding slow play. McIlroy is expected to return for the Canadian Open and the US Open, with his selective scheduling viewed as preparation for the major tournaments.