Rory McIlroy joked that he appears like a “part-timer these days” as he will get set to play in solely his sixth common PGA Tour occasion of the 12 months, the world No 2 including that he’ll proceed to “pick and choose” the occasions he performs.
The six-time main winner has been extra selective along with his schedule over the previous couple of years and has solely performed two tournaments since retaining The Masters in April.
After taking a while off following his tied-seventh end on the PGA Championship final month, McIlroy returns to motion at this week’s Memorial Match, the Jack Nicklaus-hosted occasion in Ohio which he opted to skip final 12 months.
“I’ve been doing this a long time. I’ve been on tour more than half of my life at this point,” McIlroy informed reporters on Wednesday. “I’ll pick and choose my spots like I have been doing sort of the last 18 months to two years.
“Does it imply it makes it more durable for myself to win the FedEx Cup or regardless of the season-long title race goes to be referred to as? Completely, however I am okay with that as a result of it brings stability to my life and lets me get pleasure from issues outdoors of the sport.”
McIlroy added: “I would back myself to finish in that top 100 or whatever it is [to retain my status] if I play a limited schedule.”
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Highlights of McIlroy’s closing spherical from The Masters because the Northern Irishman secured a second-straight Inexperienced Jacket at Augusta Nationwide
The 37-year-old additionally admitted that the Memorial is one in every of two tournaments – together with the Tiger Woods-fronted Genesis Invitational – he’s notably eager to win for the primary time earlier than his storied profession is out.
“I would say here and Tiger’s event at Riviera, they’re the two that I would love to win,” McIlroy mentioned, whose finest end in his 13 appearances at Muirfield Village was tied-fourth in 2016.
“I’ve been lucky enough to win at Bay Hill, but not while Arnold [Palmer] was alive. So I always thought it would be cool to win here and take that little walk up the hill off the 18th green and shake Jack’s hand.
“Additionally, Jack and I share a pleasant historical past. We have recognized one another now for almost 20 years, or I’ve recognized him for almost 20 years. He is been nothing however nice to me and my household. That is actually one I might like to get executed.”
McIlroy hopes US Open inexperienced speeds do not get ‘out of hand’
This week’s Memorial will likely be McIlroy’s final occasion earlier than the US Open at Shinnecock Hills from June 18, and the Northern Irishman undertook a scouting mission to the golf course earlier within the week.
McIlroy mentioned he hopes officers don’t let the inexperienced speeds “get too out of hand” as he feels they’re already quick sufficient.
Numerous US Open programs previously have had placing surfaces so slick that the balls have rolled off them, with Phil Mickelson handed a two-shot penalty the final time Shinnecock hosted in 2018 after jogging after his ball to hit it whereas it was nonetheless shifting.
“The greens are rolling around 11, 11.2,” mentioned McIlroy. Something over 12 is taken into account quick and final 12 months’s US Open at Oakmont was between 13 and 14. “I really don’t think they need to get much faster.
“If they will preserve them at that pace they will get them agency and use the outlet places that they wish to use with out having among the struggles that they’ve had the final couple of US Opens.
“It’s all about them just maintaining the green speeds really where they are and not getting them too out of hand and I think it will be a great week.”
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