Rory McIlroy has confirmed his intention to maintain control over his tournament schedule, even though he will skip several important events in 2025. Currently positioned second behind Scottie Scheffler in the FedEx Cup standings, McIlroy is preparing for the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, marking a unique season without starting strokes for the season-long leaders for the first time since 2019. This approach underscores his commitment to balancing competitive performance with personal priorities.
Key Tournament Absences and Continued DP World Tour Engagement
This season saw McIlroy forego participation in three major signature events: the Memorial Tournament, The Sentry, and the RBC Heritage. Additionally, he was absent from the FedEx St Jude Championship, the initial playoff event. Despite these gaps, McIlroy remains loyal to the DP World Tour and plans to compete in notable tournaments including those in India, Australia, and the Irish Open before the year’s conclusion.
Completing the Career Grand Slam and Planning for 2025
Having accomplished his career grand slam at the Masters in April, McIlroy intends to continue exercising discretion over his schedule in the upcoming year. He explained,
“I’ll always look at the schedule at the start of the year and see what best fits me and my life,”
highlighting the importance of balancing professional commitments with family and other personal interests.
Balancing Tournament Commitments with Personal Flexibility
McIlroy acknowledged that while he skipped several high-profile events this season, his future plans may vary.
“Next year I might skip less, I might skip the same amount,”
he said, emphasizing the flexibility granted to PGA Tour players that allows them to tailor their participation as they see fit. This autonomy forms a core part of his strategy moving forward.
Upcoming Schedule Changes Including the Miami Championship Addition
The PGA Tour will introduce a ninth signature event in 2026 with the inaugural Miami Championship at Trump National Doral, scheduled for April 30 to May 3. This adjustment compresses two major championships—the Masters and the U.S. Open—and three signature tournaments into a seven-week span in spring, creating a dense competitive window for players.
McIlroy’s Perspective on the Compressed Spring Tournament Schedule
McIlroy views the tighter schedule positively, believing it will help maintain golf’s momentum from early in the year through the Masters and beyond. He noted that golf benefits from sustained public interest during these months, which is critical for the sport’s popularity and growth. While recognizing the demanding nature of this schedule for players, he appreciates the reduced need for long-distance travel during this period.
“It’s quite a workload for players…but it’s not as if we’re having to travel halfway around the world,”
he remarked.