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National Post

Rory McIlroy snubs golf legend after skipping Memorial tournament

Rory McIlroy has been a busy man since winning the Masters earlier this year. Too busy, it seems, to make a phone call to a golf legend who is also his friend. Article content The Northern Irish star apparently has given the same feeling to pal Jack Nicklaus that he did to Masters rival Bryson Dechambeau: The silent treatment. Article content McIlroy is skipping this week's Memorial golf tournament, yet he did not reach out to Nicklaus — the host and founder of the event – to let him know that he wouldn't be competing. Article content Article content During a press conference on Tuesday, Nicklaus said that he was surprised that McIlroy wouldn't be in this year's field and that he hadn't even spoken to him since the Masters in April, when McIlroy won the Green Jacket to complete his career grand slam. Article content 'I really don't know why Rory didn't talk to me,' said Nicklaus, himself a career grand slam winner. '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. Article content 'We just weren't included this year.' Article content Traditionally, when legends of the sport host a tournament, players often will call or meet them ahead of time to let them know if they are skipping the event. While McIlroy didn't reach out to Nicklaus, the 85-year-old said he won't hold it against him. Article content '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.' Article content 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… — Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) May 27, 2025 Article content McIlroy's apparent cold shoulder is surprising considering his relationship with the Golden Bear. McIlroy is a member at Nicklaus' home course, The Bear's Club in Jupiter, Fla., and the 36-year-old even sought out advice from Nicklaus ahead of the Masters in April. Article content Article content 'I am not throwing Rory under the bus,' Nicklaus added. '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 alright. I could probably have done some of mine differently, too. Article content