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Newsweek
a day ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
FedEx Cup Playoffs: Rory McIlroy's Absence Forces Player Council to Rethink Rules
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Rory McIlroy has never been one to shy away from making headlines, but his decision to skip the opening round of the FedEx Cup playoffs has ignited a firestorm of debate across the golf world. The world No. 2 and reigning Masters champion opted out of the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis, citing rest and schedule management. But in doing so, McIlroy may have exposed a loophole in the PGA Tour's playoff format, one that officials are now scrambling to address. PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND - JULY 19: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates an eagle putt on the 12th green during Day Three of The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 19,... PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND - JULY 19: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates an eagle putt on the 12th green during Day Three of The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 19, 2025 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by) More The Grand Slam winner's absence was not unexpected. He had hinted as early as last November that he would likely skip Memphis, noting his poor finish there last year and minimal impact on his playoff standing. "I finished basically dead last there this year (2024) and only moved down one spot," McIlroy told The Telegraph last year. With currently 3,444 FedEx Cup points, he's virtually guaranteed a spot in the Tour Championship at East Lake -- even if he also skipped the BMW Championship next week. Yet McIlroy's decision has left many concerned PGA Tour Policy Board player director Peter Malnati told Golfweek he was "very concerned" and hinted at possible future measures to prevent top players from skipping playoff events. "I think there is stuff in the works, and I'll leave it at that," Malnati added. Social media was quick to dub any potential rule change the "Rory Rule." The timing couldn't be riper. With major season getting over, August is dull, and McIlroy's absence has become a lightning rod for debates about player responsibility and the Tour's authority. McIlroy is the only player among the top 70 to skip Memphis. His decision reflects a calculated move to preserve energy for a grueling end-of-year stretch that includes the BMW Championship, the Tour Championship, the Ryder Cup and international events in India and Australia. More Golf: How One Key Change Sparked Akshay Bhatia's Career-Low 62 to Lead St. Jude
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Rory McIlroy's loophole he's exploited could be banned as punishment threatened
Golf icon Rory McIlroy has been cautioned he might not be permitted to bypass the FedEx Cup's opening play-off for much longer. The defending Masters champion is the only member of the 70-man field who has opted not to compete in this weekend's £15million tournament at TPC Southwind. Peter Malnati, a player director on the PGA Tour Policy Board, confessed he was "very" troubled that a star as prominent as McIlroy would be absent from competition. Having claimed three victories this season, the Northern Irishman has already positioned himself second behind world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and doesn't necessarily need to participate in the first of three FedEx Cup legs. He has already guaranteed his spot in the second play-off tournament, the BMW Championship, although he remains at risk of slipping in the season-long rankings. When questioned whether players might face sanctions in future for skipping play-off tournaments, Malnati warned: "I think there is stuff in the works, and I'll leave it at that." But the Daily Express reported Webb Simpson, a fellow player-director on the Tour board, seemed unconcerned by McIlroy's choice: "I think it's too hard of a thing to make guys have to play. We're still a sport where you can play when you want to play. "I knew I couldn't fall more than one spot, and I thought losing one stroke at East Lake was worth a week of rest because I was toast. I don't know Rory's reason, but I totally get it. It's a hard to thing to fix." From the PGA perspective, the organisation clearly wants its best and brightest athletes competing as often as possible. But with McIlroy not lacking in finances and largely competing just for prizes at this stage of his career, they also can't force such a household name to play when he isn't motivated to do so. Peter Malnati has suggested steps are being taken to make players commit to certain competitions (Image: Getty) McIlroy, who described this year's Open as an event he'll "never forget" despite missing out on the title, is hardly the first golfer to give such a tournament a miss. Tiger Woods did precisely that in both 2007 and 2019, blaming exhaustion and an oblique injury on those respective occasions. It was 18 years ago that Woods pulled out of the maiden FedEx Cup tournament. However, he then proceeded to triumph in the concluding two play-off competitions and secure the inaugural cup. McIlroy, who recently moved into a new dream home in Surrey, will hope to repeat those heroics after swerving the opening event of this year's series. And it can't be ruled out considering he has won three FedEx Cups to date. The Holywood-born legend's choice shouldn't shock Tour officials, though, having indicated his plans to withdraw nine months prior in November 2024: "I finished, basically, dead last there [last] year, and only moved down one spot in the playoff standings." McIlroy has opted for rest this weekend rather than the first FedEx Cup play-off event (Image: Getty) Sanctions could be imposed on golfers who mirror McIlroy's actions going forward. But Jordan Spieth, a former Tour player policy director, believes such withdrawals will remain rare. "You might have one or two guys do that for an event," said Spieth. "But I don't think it will become a thing, because they are still huge events against the best players in the world. "I think they're trying to figure out how to make sure you don't skip both of them and ideally neither of them."
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Rory McIlroy told of punishment threat as loophole he's exploited could be banned
Rory McIlroy stands alone in opting out of this week's FedEx St Jude Championship, with the PGA Tour now warning that he could risk punishment by doing so in the future Rory McIlroy has been warned he may not be allowed to miss the FedExCup's opening play-off round for much longer. The Masters champion is the only player from a 70-man field that has refused to take part in this week's FedEx St Jude Championship, the first leg of the FedExCup. In doing so, the Northern Irishman will pass up the opportunity to earn a possible £2.7million in prize money. Peter Malnati, a player director on the PGA Tour Policy Board, stated he was "very" concerned that a prominent star like three-time FedExCup winner McIlroy would choose not to participate. Having secured three victories on the PGA Tour this season, McIlroy has already cemented second place behind Scottie Scheffler in the standings and doesn't have any reason to play, beyond a desire to win the tournament. He has already guaranteed his spot in the second play-off tournament, the BMW Championship, although there is a chance of him slipping down the season-long standings. When asked whether players might face punishment in the future for skipping play-off tournaments, Malnati responded with a thinly-veiled warning: 'I think there is stuff in the works and I'll leave it at that.' Meanwhile, Webb Simpson, another player director on the tour board, seemed unfazed by McIlroy's decision, saying: 'I think it's too hard of a thing to make guys have to play. We're still a sport where you can play when you want to play. 'I knew I couldn't fall more than one spot and I thought losing one stroke at East Lake was worth a week of rest because I was toast. I don't know Rory's reason but I totally get it. It's a hard thing to fix.' McIlroy isn't the only top player to have opted out of such tournaments. Tiger Woods previously pulled out in 2007 and 2019, citing fatigue and an oblique strain on those occasions. In 2007, Woods pulled out of the first FedExCup event but went on to win the final two play-off events and claim the cup. McIlroy's choice shouldn't come as a surprise to tour officials, either, as he hinted at the decision nine months ago. 'I finished, basically, dead last there [last] year, and only moved down one spot in the play-off standings," he explained in November. While penalties may be dished out for missing tournaments in the future, former tour player policy director Jordan Spieth believes similar withdrawals will be rare. 'You might have one or two guys do that for an event but I don't think it will become a thing because they are still huge events against the best players in the world,' Spieth commented. 'I think they're trying to figure out how to make sure you don't skip both of them and ideally neither of them.'
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Rory McIlroy absence has PGA Tour considering FedExCup rule change
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Rory McIlroy acknowledges the crowd after finishing the final round of The 153rd Open Championship. LOS ANGELES – Rory McIlroy's decision to skip the first round of the FedExCup play-offs this week has the PGA Tour considering a rule change when it comes to the three-event season-ending dash to the Tour Championship. With his spot near the top of the FedExCup points standings secure, the Northern Irishman elected to skip this week's St. Jude Championship at Memphis knowing that he has enough points to advance to the BMW Championship at Owings Mills, Maryland, next week. The top 70 players in the points standings earn a spot in the play-offs with 20 eliminated before the BMW. The top 30 in the standings after the first two weeks of the playoffs will then advance to the Tour Championship at Atlanta to be held from Aug 21 to 24. McIlroy is the only tour player in the top 70 of the points standings who is not at Memphis this week. Peter Malnati, player director on the PGA Tour Policy Board, was asked about McIlroy's absence and he expressed concern. 'I think there is stuff in the works (about a rule change) and I'll leave it at that,' Malnati said to GolfWeek. It is unknown if a rule change would include a fine for non-participation or an elimination from the remainder of the play-offs all together. Should any sanction be imposed, McIlroy or players in the same situation as the five-time Major champion would think twice about skipping the St. Jude. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Morning commute disrupted as delays on East-West MRT Line persist after more than 3 hours Singapore Hidden vapes and where to find them: Inside ICA's clampdown at land checkpoints Singapore Sorting recyclables by material could boost low domestic recycling rate: Observers Singapore SM Lee receives Australia's highest civilian honour for advancing bilateral ties Asia Trump's sharp India criticism corners Modi as rift deepens Singapore More train rides taken in first half-year, but overall public transport use stays below 2019 levels Singapore BlueSG needs time to develop software, refresh fleet, say ex-insiders after winding-down news Asia Cambodia-Thailand border clash a setback for Asean: Vivian Balakrishnan McIlroy, a three-time Tour Championship winner in 2016, 2019 and 2022, said as far back as last year that he would likely skip the St. Jude Championship if his place in the points standings was secure. He referenced a poor finish in the event last year that did not come close to stopping him from moving on the next round. Scottie Scheffler leads the FedExCup standings with 4,806 points, while McIlroy is second with 3,444. Spot No. 50 currently is held by Australian Min Woo Lee at 851 points. Spot No. 30 belongs to Daniel Berger at 1,167 points. McIlroy has been mulling over a reduced PGA Tour schedule after also participating in events at Australia, Ireland, India and the United Aram Emirates this year. He also will represent Europe at the upcoming Ryder Cup at Farmingdale, New York, in September. Meanwhile in other news, the PGA Tour averaged 2.969 million viewers for broadcasts on CBS, an increase of 17 per cent from last year, the network announced on Tuesday. The average is the network's best since 2018. Per CBS, 14 of the 19 final-round telecasts saw a year-over-year ratings jump. This past weekend drew in sizable numbers, as an average of 1.95 million fans tuned in to watch Cameron Young record his first PGA Tour victory at the Wyndham Championship on Sunday. Young strung together five consecutive early birdies and cruised to a six-stroke win at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina. The average fan viewership represents a 36 per cent increase from the final of the 2024 event, which was won by Aaron Rai. The broadcast team is set to undergo change for next season after longtime commentator Ian Baker-Finch announced his retirement after 30 years. The Wyndham Championship was his final broadcast. Last weekend's tournament was the final one this season for CBS. The PGA now heads into the FedExCup play-offs, with NBC and its affiliates set to run the show. The St. Jude Championship will tee off on Thursday. REUTERS
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Rory McIlroy absence has Tour considering FedEx Cup rule change
RORY MCILROY's decision to skip the first round of the FedEx playoffs this week has the PGA Tour considering a rule change when it comes to the three- event season-ending dash to the Tour Championship. With his spot near the top of the FedEx Cup points standings secure, McIlroy elected to skip this week's St. Jude Championship at Memphis knowing that he has enough points to advance to the BMW Championship at Owings Mills, Md., next week. The top 70 players in the points standings earn a spot in the playoffs with 20 eliminated before the BMW. The top 30 in the standings after the first two weeks of the playoffs advance to the Tour Championship at Atlanta from Aug. 21-24. McIlroy is the only tour player in the top 70 of the points standings who is not at Memphis this week. Peter Malnati, player director on the PGA Tour Policy Board, was asked about McIlroy's absence and expressed concern. "I think there is stuff in the works (about a rule change) and I'll leave it at that," Malnati said to GolfWeek. It is unknown if a rule change would include a fine for non-participation or an elimination from the remainder of the playoffs all together. McIlroy, a three-time Tour Championship winner in 2016, 2019 and 2022, said as far back as last year that he would likely skip the St. Jude Championship if his place in the points standings was secure. He referenced a poor finish in the event last year that did not come close to stopping him from moving on the next round. Scottie Scheffler leads the FedEx Cup standings with 4,806 points, while McIlroy is second with 3,444. Spot No. 50 currently is held by Australian Min Woo Lee at 851 points. Spot No. 30 belongs to Daniel Berger at 1,167 points. McIlroy has been mulling over a reduced PGA Tour schedule after also participating in events at Australia, Ireland, India and the United Aram Emirates this year. He also will represent Europe at the upcoming Ryder Cup at Farmingdale, N.Y., in September. — REUTERS
