McIlroy defends selective schedule despite missing PGA Tour signature events

Rory McIlroy says he will continue to embrace the “luxury” of choosing his own playing schedule, even if it means sitting out more of the PGA Tour’s flagship events, Sport360NG reports.

The world number two enters this week’s season-ending Tour Championship at East Lake in Atlanta second in the FedEx Cup standings, behind Scottie Scheffler. For the first time since 2019, the leaders will not carry starting strokes into the finale.

McIlroy, a four-time FedEx Cup champion, has faced criticism this year after opting out of three of the Tour’s signature events, The Sentry, the RBC Heritage and the Memorial Tournament, along with the FedEx St Jude Championship, the opening playoff stop.

The Northern Irishman, who also juggles DP World Tour obligations, still has tournaments lined up later this year in India, Australia and at his home Irish Open.

“I always sit down at the start of the year and map out a schedule that works for me, my family, and everything else I’ve got going on outside the game,” McIlroy said. “That meant skipping a few signature events this season. Next year, it could be fewer, or it could be the same.

“The beauty of being on the PGA Tour is we get the freedom to set our own schedule. I’ve used that flexibility this year, and I’ll keep doing so for as long as I can.”

On Tuesday, the Tour unveiled its 2026 calendar, confirming a ninth signature event. The Miami Championship, to be staged at Trump National Doral from 31 April to 3 May, joins the roster.

The spring run will now feature the Masters and US PGA Championship alongside three signature events within a seven-week stretch.

McIlroy welcomed the changes, suggesting the packed schedule helps sustain golf’s momentum after Augusta.

“Golf builds nicely through January, February and March, then peaks around the Masters,” he said. “Carrying that energy into the PGA and US Open makes sense. It’s a demanding run for players, but at least we’re not having to fly across the world in between.”