Rory McIlroy missing The Memorial Tournament has been one of the major talking points of the golf season so far but the Northern Irishman has now sought to put an end to any rumours around why he missed it.
Jack Nicklaus was visibly a bit sad at McIlroy’s decision not to play, while the lack of a phone call to the Golden Bear has caused a bit of an outcry from members of the media.
Fans criticised both McIlroy and the PGA Tour at the time and in the end, it mattered little anyway as Scottie Scheffler ran away with things.
Nevertheless, McIlroy’s lack of media since the PGA Championship has left unanswered questions and the man himself has now spoken at the Canadian Open about just why he missed The Memorial.
Rory McIlroy explains the true reason why he missed The Memorial Tournament
Now into his 30s and having won the career grand slam, Rory McIlroy is perfectly entitled to play where and when he wants.
However, the decision to miss the one at ‘Jack’s Place’ did turn heads.
But according to McIlroy, it all comes down to his own schedule and ultimately, what he feels is best for him right now.
“I just wanted to do what was best for me looking towards the US Open,” McIlroy told the Golf Channel.
“I have realised that I am not 25 any more, I am 36. For a 36-year-old there is a lot of miles on the clock and I just don’t want to play for four weeks in a row at this point in my career. I was always going to play here, I skipped the Travellers last year, so I want to make good on that and make good there.
“At some point something has to give and I made the decision at the start of the year, when I was making my schedule, that Memorial was not going to be a part of it. That is tough, it’s one of the best tournaments that we have but I just felt for my schedule and my preparation, especially for the US Open it was the right decision.”
Time will tell if Rory McIlroy’s decision was correct
Look, only Rory himself knows what is best for him and we’re sure with the team around him and his family as well, these decisions do not come easily.
For McIlroy, his legacy is now going to be about how many majors he can win. He is on five, and has the career grand slam in the bag, but he won’t want to look back when he does finish up and it be a case of what might have been.
McIlroy’s time now is about prepping for these major tournaments and, hopefully, winning them.
The US Open is going to test McIlroy’s game to the limits anyway with Oakmont being so tricky.
Getting that rest in and resetting, then, might well be the best thing he’s done. If he flops, though, then questions will be asked.
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