PGA Tour Pros React to McIlroy’s Absence at RBC Heritage: ‘The Irony Is He’s Not Here’

Earlier this week, when it was revealed that World #3 Rory McIlroy would not be playing in this week’s elevated event of the RBC Heritage in Hilton Head, South Carolina, it caught many by surprise.

His fellow PGA Tour Pros and colleagues on the golf course may be the ones who were most taken back by McIlroy’s absence, as top players’ presence at specific events was something the Northern Irish golfer and four-time Major winner specifically pushed for as LIV Golf took some of the biggest names from the PGA Tour last year.

Xander Schauffele said:

“Rules are the rules. So, I mean, for the most part, a lot of what he wanted is what’s happening. And the irony is that he’s not here.”

McIlroy has been arguably the most vocal proponent for golfers remaining on the PGA Tour since LIV’s arrival in the world of golf last year. Last year, just before the BMW Championship, his friend and mentor Tiger Woods touched down in Wilmington, Delaware, for what was likely the most constructive and influential meeting in terms of the current structure of the Tour. It had a lot of new terms: one of the most important being the mandatory attendance of top players at what are considered the marquee events.

Each player has one free absence, and McIlroy used his at the Sentry TOC earlier this year. His unexpected withdrawal from the RBC Heritage has automatically cost him 25 percent, or $3 million, of his designated share of the PIP bonus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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McIlroy’s absence is unexplained at the moment. Currently, there is speculation that he is not present due to his disappointing performance at The Masters last week, where he missed the cut and will have to wait another year for the career Grand Slam. We also know that for McIlroy, family comes first. And while he’s remained relatively silent, many of his biggest supporters have speculated that he is not there due to a personal matter. For now, we can only guess.

According to Sports Illustrated, Joel Dahmen said:

“I feel like Rory was leading the charge on the changes that have been made and he helped make the rules. He knew what the rules were. So, he knew what was coming. He also has so much money, he doesn’t care about $3 million.”

Many believe that McIlroy’s adamance about the new rules meant he would follow them, no matter what. His absence could have repercussions, some of the golf world feels.

There was plenty of speculation that Schauffle would join LIV Golf last year, and while he is still on the Tour, you can’t help but wonder what his attitude is now. There were rumors last year of a Top 10 player being vocal about their distaste of McIlroy’s feelings about LIV, and was even rumored to be on their way out as the PGA Tour had turned into “The Rory Tour.”

This was after Cameron Smith’s transfer to LIV, so who could it be? We can only guess.

Cover Image Via TheMirror