Rory McIlroy Withdraws From Memorial Tournament First Time Since 2017

Rory McIlroy has decided to skip the Memorial Tournament this year for the first time since 2017, breaking a long-standing tradition of participation at the Jack Nicklaus-hosted event. This decision follows a disappointing performance and controversy at the recent PGA Championship, where McIlroy was forced to change a non-conforming driver mid-tournament and refrained from media interaction. Despite the absence at the Memorial, McIlroy has committed to competing in the Canadian Open, the US Open, and the Travelers Championship, as part of a strategy to manage his schedule more carefully. McIlroy, who recently completed the career Grand Slam by winning the Masters, has expressed interest in reducing his tournament load to around 18 to 23 events per year to sustain his performance and handle off-course responsibilities. The golfing community's reaction to his Memorial absence has been mixed, with some criticism regarding skipping such a prestigious event. McIlroy has yet to publicly explain his reasons for missing the Memorial, but his focus appears to be on preparing for upcoming major tournaments.