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Rory McIlroy Accused of Snubbing Jack Nicklaus After Choosing to Skip Memorial Tournament
Rory McIlroy has been accused of slighting golf icon Jack Nicklaus after seeking his help in bringing home his first Masters victory last month. McIlroy, 36, announced he would be skipping the PGA's Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio this weekend, his first absence at the event since 2017. Advertisement Nicklaus, 85, who founded and hosts the tournament, said he was 'surprised' by McIlroy's decision. 'I haven't talked to him for him to tell me why or why not,' Nicklaus told reporters on Tuesday, May 27. 'That's just his call.' Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll Finalize Plans to Move to Their Newly-Built U.K. Mansion According to ESPN, McIlroy is a member at Nicklaus' home course, The Bear's Club, in Jupiter, Florida, and used Nicklaus as a resource ahead of the Masters to ask questions about how to best attack Augusta National Golf Club. McIlroy won the 2025 Masters on April 13 to become just the sixth player in history to win the career grand slam, which comes when a golfer wins the Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship and PGA Championship. Advertisement Nicklaus has not spoken to McIlroy since he won the title. 'I don't hold anything against Rory for that,' Nicklaus acknowledged. 'He did what he likes to play. I know he likes to play so many [tournaments] in a row. He likes to play the week before a U.S. Open. So that's what he's doing.' Us Weekly has reached out to McIlroy for comment. McIlroy will play next week's RBC Canadian Open in Caledon, Ontario before the 125th U.S. Open begins at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania on June 12. Nicklaus — who won 18 major championships, the most in history — noted that he often found himself in McIlroy's shoes throughout the course of his career. Advertisement 'I made a lot of calls that I had to make when I played, to play or not play,' he said. 'Sometimes it wasn't popular.' Nicklaus added, 'I really don't have a comment on it. It's very difficult, very difficult. I'm a big Rory fan, always have been. I am sure that we'll remain that way.' LPGA's Charley Hull Responds to Intense Interest in Rory McIlroy's Personal Life Post-Masters McIlroy's perceived snubbing of Nicklaus did not sit well with some golf fans. 'After Jack Nicklaus giving Rory McIlroy time pre Masters to help guide him on how best to play Augusta National, Rory is not only skipping his event, but also didn't give him the courtesy of a phone call to let him know…,' the popular golf podcast 'Flushing It' wrote via X on Wednesday. Advertisement One fan commented, 'Rory only cares about Rory. Trying to figure out how anyone is a fan of his.' 'Typical Rory,' another golf fan wrote. 'Can't even pick up the phone and call the man who helped put him over the top at the Masters. And he does nothing to grow the game or give back to the fans.'
Associated Press
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Jack Nicklaus was surprised by Rory McIlroy's decision to skip the Memorial
DUBLIN, Ohio (AP) — Jack Nicklaus said Tuesday he was surprised Rory McIlroy decided to skip the Memorial for the first time since 2017 and that he hasn't spoken to him since McIlroy won the Masters to complete the career Grand Slam. Nicklaus was short with his answers on McIlroy, not wanting to make his absence a bigger deal at the tournament that is celebrating its 50th year. 'I really don't know why Rory didn't talk to me,' Nicklaus said. 'I can't answer that question. There's nothing I can answer. I know he has to make a schedule that works for him and what he has to do. And I understand, because I had to do the same thing. 'We just weren't included this year.' McIlroy is playing the RBC Canadian Open next week ahead of the U.S. Open. He had played the Memorial and Canadian Open back to back every year since 2021. Adding to the surprise was their relationship. McIlroy is a member at Nicklaus' home course The Bear's Club in Jupiter, Florida, and he sought out Nicklaus ahead of the Masters to ask questions on how to play Augusta National. Nicklaus has not spoken to him since then, but he did write up a letter of congratulations, as he does for all major champions. When a PGA Tour icon is the tournament host, players with a history of playing the event often will call ahead of time if they decide to skip it. Rickie Fowler once drove to Orlando, Florida, to have lunch with Arnold Palmer and explain why he couldn't play Bay Hill. Asked if it would have been protocol for McIlroy to have called him, Nicklaus put up his hands. 'I am not throwing Rory under the bus,' he said. 'I like Rory too much. He's a good kid. He's played some great golf. He's had a lot of things that have happened to him. He's got to make his own call on things. Could he have done them differently? Probably. But that's all right. I could probably have done some of mine differently, too. 'I'm not complaining about Rory.' McIlroy has not spoken publicly since the eve of the PGA Championship. He turned down media requests after all four rounds at Quail Hollow. McIlroy won the Canadian Open in 2019. It was canceled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and McIlroy won it again when he returned in 2022. 'I haven't talked to him for him to tell me why or why not. It's just his call,' Nicklaus said. '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. But sometimes you have to make those calls. I don't hold anything against Rory for that. 'I'm a big Rory fan. I always have been. I'm sure that I will remain that way,' he said. 'I just ... I was a little surprised, yes.' ___ AP golf:
