Rory McIlroy will not participate in the Rocket Mortgage Classic as he continues his hiatus from professional golf, with other notable players also absent from the event in Michigan.
Rory McIlroy, the golfing icon, has decided to skip the Rocket Mortgage Classic, forfeiting a chance at the £1.3 million top prize. The 35-year-old Northern Irishman is extending his break from the PGA Tour after his recent major disappointment. McIlroy is still recovering from a heartbreaking finish at Pinehurst, where he narrowly missed winning the US Open, which was claimed by Bryson DeChambeau.
After his collapse in North Carolina, McIlroy expressed his need for a break. As promised, his name is missing from the list of 156 players set to compete at the Detroit Golf Club this Thursday, according to the Daily Express.
Following his close second-place finish at the US Open, McIlroy stated: “I’m taking a few weeks off to process everything and prepare for my title defense at the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open at Royal Troon. See you in Scotland.”
Last week, McIlroy also opted out of the Travelers Championship, where Scottie Scheffler triumphed, earning his sixth victory of the year by defeating Tom Kim in a playoff. Scheffler’s win marked the first time since Tiger Woods in 2009 that a golfer has secured six PGA Tour wins in a single season. Despite his success, Scheffler, like McIlroy, will not be competing in Michigan.
Other top players skipping the Motor City event include Xander Schauffele, Ludvig Aberg, and Wyndham Clark. Their absence opens up the competition for other lesser-known players on the PGA Tour.
McIlroy’s decision to miss the tournament may not surprise Michigan fans, as he has never competed in the event since its inception in 2019. This year, McIlroy has already secured two PGA Tour victories, winning £1 million at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with partner Shane Lowry and £3.1 million at the Wells Fargo Championship.
With his return to major action planned for Royal Troon in less than a month, McIlroy hopes to end his search for a major victory on British soil. The Open, the final major of the year, presents his last chance to clinch a major title before surpassing a decade without one.