Is Rory McIlroy upset with the PGA Tour? One has a good reason to think that. McIlroy is set to skip his third signature event this season, passing on the Memorial Tournament despite its $20 million purse and rich history, likely due to fatigue and a packed schedule with the U.S. Open looming. With nine PGA Tour starts, three wins, including a recent Masters victory, McIlroy has had a busy season, and with a trip to Northern Ireland, he’s prioritizing his schedule. But now, the fear is that these golf insiders think this is not the last time McIlroy will skip an event this year, and well, they have a good reason to believe so.
According to a recent episode of the Smylie Kaufman Show on YouTube, Charlie Hulme and Smylie Kaufman discussed Rory McIlroy’s potential decision to skip another signature PGA Tour event, with Kaufman saying, “I don’t think he’s going to play Memphis”, indicating to the 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship and Hulme chiming in with, “I don’t think so either.” The conversation centered around McIlroy’s decision to skip the Memorial Tournament, but play in the Canadian Open, sparking mixed reactions on social media. “If there’s a reason why Rory will get called out, it’s because he was part of the Delaware meeting that pushed for this.”
The Delaware meeting, where top players advocated for a new structure and signature events, seems to be a crucial point of contention. Hulme noted that McIlroy was put in a position to represent the tour’s stance, but now he’s being scrutinized for not fully committing to the tour’s new format. As Hulme said, “I think in some ways he was sort of unfairly trotted out by the tour to be the sort of spokesperson against LIV.”
Well, it is somewhat true that Rory McIlroy was projected as a LIV hater in the 2022 Delaware meeting, which he later proved with his comments the next year. “It’s not LIV. That’s the thing. I still hate LIV,” McIlroy said. “Like, I hate LIV. I hope it goes away, and I would fully expect that it does.” McIlroy, alongside Tiger Woods, played a significant role in the meeting, where nearly two dozen high-profile tour pros discussed the PGA Tour’s plans to counter the LIV Golf Series. While specifics of the meeting weren’t disclosed, Davis Love III hinted at the importance of the gathering, saying, “The important thing is the players got together and decided this is the direction we want to go.”Additionally, the decision was made that all the top players, including Woods and McIlroy, will play each signature event, which currently, by McIlroy’s actions, seems to be the opposite, which is also one of the reasons why he might be called out for missing out on the signature events.
But the hosts also reflected on the positive outcome of this grudge, if any, that McIlroy has against the Tour. “But he’s also doing the tour a huge solid by going to Canada and by going to New Orleans and Houston.” And well, he is. McIlroy’s decision to play in the Canadian Open was certainly celebrated by the tournament officials when Golf Canada and RBC announced in January that the world No. 3 golfer, a two-time RBC Canadian Open champion, would compete in the 114th RBC Canadian Open at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley from June 4-8. “We’re thrilled that one of the best golfers in the world and a two-time champion of the RBC Canadian Open will be making his return. Rory brings the opportunity for Canadian fans to see the highest caliber of talent right on our home soil”, said Mary DePaoli, EVP & Chief Marketing Officer at RBC, at the time of the announcement.
PGA, Golf Herren THE PLAYERS Championship – Second Round Mar 11, 2023 Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA Rory McIlroy plays from the 18th fairway during the completion of the weather delayed second round of THE PLAYERS Championship golf tournament. Ponte Vedra Beach Florida USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xDavidxYeazellx 2023DLY4054Round2-TPC230311 copy. Image Courtesy: IMAGO
McIlroy’s actions might be seen as inconsistent, given his role in the Delaware meeting. However, Hulme also pointed out that the tour has evolved significantly since then. And McIlroy’s decision to play globally, including events in Canada and potentially India, shows his commitment to growing the game, even if it means skipping some signature events. As Hulme noted, “He’s doing things that are actually putting his money where his mouth is in terms of like growing the game of golf and playing globally.” And well, he is.
Rory McIlroy is keeping his word of making golf a ‘global’ game
Rory McIlroy is taking significant steps to globalize golf, and his latest commitment to play the DP World India Championship in New Delhi is a prime example. As McIlroy said, “If everyone is talking about growing the game, especially if these investors are going to come into our game and they want a return on their capital, I think everyone needs to start thinking more globally around it.” This event marks a milestone, as McIlroy will become the first reigning Masters champion to play in India. His participation is expected to generate tremendous excitement, following in the footsteps of Bryson DeChambeau’s visit earlier this year.
McIlroy’s decision to play in India is part of his broader vision to prioritize national opens and tap into new markets. His 2025 schedule reflects this commitment, with appearances in the Australian Open at Royal Melbourne, the Canadian Open, the Scottish Open at Royal Portrush, and the Irish Open at the K Club. He’ll also play the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, a flagship event on the DP World Tour. McIlroy’s presence will undoubtedly spark excitement, and who knows, maybe we’ll see a new generation of Indian golfers teeing off in the majors. With McIlroy leading the charge, golf’s global revolution might just be a swing away.
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