The FedExCup play-offs are underway as the PGA Tour season nears its conclusion but Rory McIlroy is not involved this week.
TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee hosts the first of three season-ending events to crown the FedExCup champion.
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Rory McIlroy will not be playing at the FedEx St. Jude Championship this weekCredit: Getty
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The Masters champion has not played since The Open at Royal Portrush last monthCredit: Getty
A £15million prize purse is on offer with the winner in the last two years taking home £2.7million in bonuses.
The top 70 players from the FedExCup rankings following the Wyndham Championship qualify for the event.
However, Masters champion Rory McIlroy has opted out of it.
The Northern Irishman is second in the FedExCup rankings but has not played since The Open last month.
Why is McIlroy missing the St. Jude Championship?
McIlroy’s name is not listed in the field for the St. Jude Championship despite qualifying through the FedExCup rankings.
His previous best finish at the event came in 2023, where he ended in a tie for third place.
Although an official reason has not been given, a rule change means players can skip FedExCup play-off events without denting their TOUR Championship hopes.
The PGA Tour announced earlier this year that starting strokes would no longer be awarded.
Previous editions had seen players start on a score based on their ranking heading into the tournament.
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McIlroy has taken advantage of a rule change which will boost his Tour Championship hopesCredit: Getty
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The Northern Irishman will no longer start two strokes behind FedEx Cup leader SchefflerCredit: Getty
The rule allowed Scheffler to win last year’s Tour Championship despite being outscored by Collin Morikawa and Sahith Theegala.
McIlroy’s second place position would currently see him start on eight-under-par under the old format, two shots behind Scheffler.
The top 30 players in the FedExCup rankings following next week’s BMW Championship will qualify for the Tour Championship.
McIlroy is already assured of a place in the field thanks to his current ranking.
He sits 849 points clear of third place Sepp Straka ahead of the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
With 2,000 points available to this week’s winner and 980 going to the runner-up, McIlroy cannot drop lower than fourth despite not taking part.
McIlroy has also struggled at the St. Jude in the past but performed well in the other play-off events, especially at East Lake.
The weather in Memphis is also topping 35C each day this week so the event will be very energy sapping.
McIlroy conserving his strength for the upcoming fortnight would make sense given the prizes on offer.
FedExCup rankings
Following Wyndham Championship
Scottie Scheffler – 4,806 pointsRory McIlroy – 3,444Sepp Straka – 2,595Russell Henley – 2,391Justin Thomas – 2,280Ben Griffin – 2,275Harris English – 2,232JJ Spaun – 2,144Tommy Fleetwood – 1,783Keegan Bradley – 1,749When is McIlroy next playing?
McIlroy is set to return at the BMW Championship.
The top 50 players in the FedEx Cup rankings will feature at Caves Valley Golf Club in Maryland.
McIlroy won the BMW Championship back in 2012, with this year’s event having a £15million purse on offer.
The Tour Championship will be held the following week at East Lake in Atlanta, Georgia.
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A field of 30 players will be confirmed after the BMW Championship.
McIlroy holds the record for the most FedEx Cup triumphs with three titles in 2016, 2019 and 2022.
FedEx Cup prize money
A total of £75million in bonuses will be distributed across the FedEx Cup by the PGA Tour.
That prize money includes a £7.5million purse for the FedEx Cup champion.
Meanwhile, McIlroy scooped £3million after the Wyndham Championship without even playing.
He was awarded the earnings thanks to placing second in the FedEx Cup rankings.
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McIlroy is a three-time FedEx Cup champion, more than any other playerCredit: Getty
If he remains in the same position by the end of the BMW Championship, he will receive a further £2.6million.
Prize money following the Tour Championship is then distributed based on final position at the event.
Any player finishing inside the top seven will receive at least £1million.