Rory McIlroy, a four-time major champion, has decided to skip the Rocket Mortgage Classic this weekend, foregoing a potential £1.3 million prize.
This decision comes shortly after his devastating loss to Bryson DeChambeau at the US Open in Pinehurst, North Carolina, where he narrowly missed out on the title.
McIlroy, 35, announced his intention to take a break from golf following his dramatic collapse at the US Open. True to his word, his name is absent from the 156-player field competing at the Detroit Golf Club this week.
In a statement released after his runner-up finish, McIlroy stated:
“I’m going to take a few weeks away from the game to process everything and build myself back up for my defense at the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open at Royal Troon. See you in Scotland.”
This marks the second high-profile tournament McIlroy has skipped in recent weeks, following his decision to miss the Travelers Championship, where the winner’s cheque was £3.1 million.
Scottie Scheffler won that event, securing his sixth victory of the year in a playoff against Tom Kim, and is now the first golfer since Tiger Woods in 2009 to win six PGA Tour events in a single season. Scheffler, like McIlroy, will also be absent from the Rocket Mortgage Classic, as he takes a break from his intense schedule.
McIlroy’s decision to skip the tournament is consistent with his previous years, as he has never participated in the Rocket Mortgage Classic since its inception in 2019. Despite his absence, McIlroy has had a successful year, securing two wins on the PGA Tour in 2024, including a £1 million victory at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and a £3.1 million win at the Wells Fargo Championship.
With less than three weeks before his return at the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open at Royal Troon, McIlroy is taking this time to recuperate and prepare for the final major of the year.
The Open presents his last chance to capture a major title in 2024, a goal he has been chasing since winning the Claret Jug in 2014. His decision to rest and recharge could prove beneficial as he aims to end the major season on a high note.
The Rocket Mortgage Classic will proceed without several other top golfers, including Xander Schauffele, Ludvig Aberg, and Wyndham Clark, opening the field for less prominent players to vie for the title. Defending champion Rickie Fowler, along with rising stars like Tom Kim and Cameron Young, will look to take advantage of the absence of these big names and compete for the significant prize money.
Despite missing the action in Detroit, McIlroy’s fans eagerly await his return to form in Scotland, hoping that his strategic break will pay off in the upcoming major tournaments.
