Jack Nicklaus stunned as Rory McIlroy ghosts Memorial Tournament host and golf legend ahead of PGA Tour Signature event

The Irish Sun

2 days ago

JACK Nicklaus has revealed that he didn't receive a phone call from Rory McIlroy about skipping the Memorial Tournament.
The golf legend was speaking ahead the
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Memorial Tournament host Jack Nicklaus told reporters Rory McIlroy had not contacted him about skipping the event
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The Northern Irishman has now skipped three Signature tournaments this season
It will be the first time the
has missed Jack's event since 2017.
The Down native is currently in a media blackout, he hasn't spoken to the press prior to the
where he made headlines for swapping out a
just before the tournament began.
And that silence has seemingly extended to 18-time major winner Nicklaus as the golf icon revealed his 'surprise' that McIlroy didn't call him to explain his absence from this week's PGA Tour event.
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"And, you know, I haven't talked to him for him to tell me why or why not."
"It's just his call. I made a lot of calls that I had to make when I played to play or not play, and sometimes it wasn't as popular as people thought it was.
The Down native has been vocal about cutting down his schedule in 2024 and has
The 'Golden Bear' admits he understands McIlroy's decision but was left a bit bemused by his silence.
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He added: "But, you know, sometimes you have to make those calls.
"I don't hold anything against Rory for that. He did what he likes to play. I know he likes to play so many in a row. He likes to play the week before a U.S. Open. And so he, that's what he's doing.
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"So, you know, I really don't have a comment on it. It's very difficult, very difficult. I mean, I'm a big Rory fan, I always have been. I'm sure that I will remain that way. I just, I was a little surprised, yes."
Fans will now have to wait until the Canadian Open on June 5 to see the Grand Slam champion back in action.
That gives him a further time to reset before aiming for more major glory at the US Open at Oakmont, June 12–15.
The Holywood hotshot is the only player from the top-20 on the
standings that will be absent from this week's tournament that get underway on Thursday.