Rory McIlroy’s decision to skip the first leg of the 2025 FedEx Cup Playoffs, the St. Jude Championship, has sparked concern within the PGA Tour.
The reigning Masters champion chose not to play in the event, held at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee, as part of his plan to reduce his workload this season. His absence leaves just 69 of the top 70 players in the world competing in the first of the three playoff events.
Why McIlroy Skipped the St. Jude Championship
McIlroy’s decision to miss the event comes after a successful season, with three victories and over $10 million in earnings. He has previously expressed plans to cut down on his tournament schedule, mentioning last year that skipping the St. Jude Championship was likely.
McIlroy also noted that this year he played in several events he doesn’t usually participate in, such as the Cognizant at Palm Beach Gardens and the RBC Heritage at Hilton Head.
“I finished basically dead last there this year and only moved down one spot in the playoff standings,” McIlroy said of his experience at Memphis, which further solidified his decision to skip the event. Despite this, McIlroy plans to participate in the BMW Championship and the Tour Championship, where more points and prize money are available.
Concerns Over the Rule and Possible Changes
McIlroy’s absence has raised concerns among PGA Tour officials, as his decision highlights a potential issue with the current playoff structure. Since McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler are so far ahead in the standings, they cannot be knocked out of the top-50 and top-30 spots, which are required to qualify for the second and third playoff events, respectively.
This has led some to consider rule changes that would prevent players of McIlroy’s caliber from being mathematically locked into the later stages of the playoffs, regardless of whether they participate in the first leg.
Peter Malnati, a player director on the PGA Tour Policy Board, voiced his concerns about McIlroy’s decision. When asked about potential changes to the rules, Malnati said, “I think there is stuff in the works, and I’ll leave it at that.”
McIlroy’s Remaining Opportunities in 2025
While McIlroy’s absence from the St. Jude Championship has caused some concern, he still has plenty of opportunities to earn more points and money in 2025. With his focus shifting to the BMW Championship and the Tour Championship, McIlroy is set to compete for a larger payout.
Additionally, McIlroy will be participating in high-profile events outside the PGA Tour, including the Australian Open, the DP World Tour’s Irish Open, and the BMW PGA Championship. He will also play a key role for Europe in the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York.
Will McIlroy’s Decision Become a Trend?
Former PGA Tour policy player director Jordan Spieth doesn’t believe that McIlroy’s decision will spark a trend of players skipping playoff events. “You might have 1-2 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 said.
He added that officials are working to ensure that players can’t skip both the first and second playoff events, aiming to maintain the integrity of the competition.
Rory McIlroy’s absence from the St. Jude Championship highlights a larger issue within the FedEx Cup Playoff system, prompting discussions among PGA Tour officials about potential rule changes. Despite skipping the first event, McIlroy has a chance to earn substantial points and money in the next two playoff legs, alongside numerous opportunities in other prestigious tournaments this year.
For now, it remains to be seen how the PGA Tour will address the situation to ensure that future players can’t bypass the playoffs so easily.
