Jay Monahan Defends Rory McIlroy’s Strategy on the PGA Tour
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan came to the defense of Rory McIlroy, whose tournament scheduling strategy has sparked debate by leaving him out of the Memorial Tournament this week. This absence marks the third major event that McIlroy has missed in the current season.
The beauty of our model is that our players have the ability to select their schedule. What Rory McIlroy has done, I think he’s played in this tournament every year since 2017. And you look at the tournaments he’s supported. I have no concern, because you look at this in balance over time, his support for our tournaments and our partners is extraordinary.
Jay Monahan, PGA Tour Commissioner
In addition to not participating in the 50th edition of the Memorial this week, the world number 2 was also absent from The Sentry and the RBC Heritage, both important events.
McIlroy, 36, surprised some by choosing not to play in the Memorial, preferring next week’s RBC Canadian Open.
The Northern Irish golfer has acknowledged his preference for playing the week before a major championship. The Memorial Tournament and the Canadian Open swapped their dates on this year’s calendar, with the Canadian Open directly preceding the U.S. Open, which will be held from June 12 to 15 at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania.McIlroy completed the career Grand Slam by winning the Masters last month. He achieved his first green jacket and his fifth major in an exciting competition, overcoming two double bogeys in the first round and two more on Sunday, before defeating Justin Rose in a playoff.
Monahan also highlighted McIlroy’s outstanding season.
