Rory McIlroy explains what ‘needs to be changed’ after playing his third round at The Memorial

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Rory McIlroy goes into the final day at The Memorial this week eight off the lead and he’s been speaking about a potential change to the schedule when it comes to the tournament.

Jack Nicklaus’ famous tournament is now the week before the US Open.

With that, there’s a chance certain players don’t play – like Robert MacIntyre – while there’s also a feeling that some are simply using it to warm up for the US Open.

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With Nicklaus still regarded by many as the greatest golfer to ever play the game, there’s been a question mark over the suitability of the tournament being so close to the US Open.

And commenting on that very subject, Rory McIlroy has had his say.

Rory McIlroy gives his verdict on moving The Memorial tournament

Speaking about The Memorial being just a week before the US Open now, McIlroy conceded that it’s something that PGA needs to look at changing.

“For me, personally, I love to play a week before the majors I think it really helps me. Jack didn’t like to play the weeks before so I can certainly understand where he’s coming from,” McIlroy said.

“I think regardless, you’re going to get a great field, you’ll get the same field you’d get a week or two weeks before. It’s personal preference. I think this stretch of golf where it goes signature event, major, signature event, I think that needs to be changed because I feel like this tournament should stand alone in a way.

“A bit like the RBC Heritage at Hilton Head, the week after Augusta. Those are tough dates for travellers.

“I always go back to say ten years ago my two favourite weeks were Akron and the PGA. Akron always felt like a tune up before the final major and I always liked those two events back to back. But this is more than a tune up for the US Open with the host being one of the best to ever play the game so I think it needs to stand on its own a little bit.”

McIlroy interview dominated by off-course questions again

Once again, the media here used their chance to speak to McIlroy to speak about off-course issues more than the actual playing golf.

McIlroy spoke about the PIF and PGA situation and then was quizzed here about the PGA schedule and moving tournaments like The Memorial.

Clearly, this stretch of golf at the moment is pretty intense and has some huge tournaments all one after another.

Quite whether any sort of change will happen, remains to be seen.

But as usual, McIlroy seems to be the one fronting up the questions.