You’re Going to See Less Rory McIlroy Next Year

After a grueling and emotional season once again, Rory McIlroy decided he would be playing fewer events next year.

McIlroy said after the TOUR Championship this weekend that his schedule will become considerably less filled, and he could play as many as nine events less than what is typical.

He played in just 19 events on the PGA TOUR this year, but by the time the season is done as a whole, McIlroy will be somewhere around the 27 mark.

He plans to play between 17 and 19 next year:

“It’s been a long season, and I’m going to just have to think about trying to build in a few extra breaks here and there next year and going forward because I felt like I hit a bit of a wall sort of post-U.S. Open and still feel a little bit of that hangover. I’m usually sort of like a 22 (events) sort of person. But again, that was when I was sort of in my 20s and didn’t have the responsibilities that I do now. I’m going to try to cut it back to like 18 or 20 a year going forward, I think.”

Rory McIlroy says he wants to cut his schedule down to playing, “18 or 20 a year going forward.”
LIV schedule is 14 events, plus all 4 majors.
Just saying…. #FedExCup #LIVGolf pic.twitter.com/DILHov0s0K

— Chris McKee (@mrmckee) September 1, 2024

McIlroy has had an emotionally exhausting past few years. He has been close to winning his first Major Championship in years twice over the past two seasons. The 2022 Open Championship at St. Andrews was taken from him by Cam Smith, and the U.S. Open at Pinehurst was in McIlroy’s grasp before he underread a sliding putt that gave Bryson DeChambeau the opportunity to take the trophy from him.

McIlroy is now in a partnership with Tiger Woods with a new simulator league known as TGL. He also has a family and is well into his 30s.

It appears McIlroy may be preparing to slow down his career altogether. He has made over $90 million in earnings on the TOUR.

Cover Image via PGA TOUR