Not good for anyone’ – Phil Mickelson takes aim at PGA Tour over Rory McIlroy snub

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has defended Rory McIlroy’s decision not to appear at the Memorial Tournament this week – but Phil Mickelson is not convinced.

The Masters champion will not be involved at Jack Nicklaus’ signature event at Muirfield Village Golf Club.

It will be the first time since 2017 that McIlroy has snubbed the tournament, which he has yet to win in his career.

Across 13 previous appearances, his best finish was fifth back in 2011.

McIlroy already has three wins this year, but has not tasted victory since completing the career Grand Slam at Augusta National in mid-April.

That short wait is set to continue for at least another week after Nicklaus revealed his surprise at McIlroy’s decision not to appear in Dublin, Ohio.

Monahan defended the Northern Irishman’s choice, though, prior to the opening round.

The PGA Tour chief told reporters: “You look at the beauty of our model is that our players have the ability to select their schedule.

Rory McIlroy I think has played this tournament every year since 2017 and you look at the tournaments he has supported.”

He continued: “I don’t have any concern because you look at this, on balance, over time, his support of our tournaments and our partners is extraordinary.”

McIlroy has now skipped three signature events this year after not appearing at both The Sentry and RBC Heritage.

And, Monahan’s stance has been slammed by six-time major champion Mickelson.

The American took to X to respond, posting: “‘The beauty of our model’,” along with two laughing-crying emojis.

Mickelson elaborated, explaining that this is why the PGA Tour can’t expand globally. He said it’s also why sponsors are uncertain about what they’re investing in, fans rarely get to see the top players compete regularly, and no other successful sport follows this approach.

“It worked well for me and the other players, but it wasn’t beneficial for anyone else,” he added.

Mickelson, who is tied for eighth in all-time PGA Tour wins with 45, hasn’t played on the tour since he switched to LIV Golf in 2022.

Since making the move, the 54-year-old hasn’t added to his six major titles, the most recent of which came at the 2021 PGA Championship. His best major showing since joining LIV was a tie for second place at the Masters two years ago.