5<\/p>\n Rory McIlroy will not be playing at the FedEx St. Jude Championship this weekCredit: Getty 5<\/p>\n The Masters champion has not played since The Open at Royal Portrush last monthCredit: Getty<\/p>\n A \u00a315million prize purse is on offer with the winner in the last two years taking home \u00a32.7million in bonuses.<\/p>\n The top 70 players from the FedExCup rankings following the Wyndham Championship qualify for the event.<\/p>\n However, Masters champion Rory McIlroy<\/a> has opted out of it.<\/p>\n The Northern Irishman is second in the FedExCup rankings but has not played since The Open last month.<\/p>\n Why is McIlroy missing the St. Jude Championship?<\/p>\n McIlroy’s name is not listed in the field<\/a> for the St. Jude Championship despite qualifying through the FedExCup rankings.<\/p>\n His previous best finish at the event came in 2023, where he ended in a tie for third place.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The PGA Tour<\/a> announced earlier this year that starting strokes would no longer be awarded.<\/p>\n Previous editions had seen players start on a score based on their ranking heading into the tournament.<\/p>\n 5<\/p>\n McIlroy has taken advantage of a rule change which will boost his Tour Championship hopesCredit: Getty 5<\/p>\n The Northern Irishman will no longer start two strokes behind FedEx Cup leader SchefflerCredit: Getty<\/p>\n The rule allowed Scheffler to win last year’s Tour Championship despite being outscored by Collin Morikawa and Sahith Theegala.<\/p>\n McIlroy’s second place position would currently see him start on eight-under-par under the old format, two shots behind Scheffler.<\/p>\n The top 30 players in the FedExCup rankings following next week’s BMW Championship will qualify for the Tour Championship.<\/p>\n McIlroy is already assured of a place in the field thanks to his current ranking.<\/p>\n He sits 849 points clear of third place Sepp Straka ahead of the FedEx St. Jude Championship.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n McIlroy has also struggled at the St. Jude in the past but performed well in the other play-off events, especially at East Lake.<\/p>\n The weather in Memphis is also topping 35C each day this week so the event will be very energy sapping.<\/p>\n McIlroy conserving his strength for the upcoming fortnight would make sense given the prizes on offer.<\/p>\n FedExCup rankings<\/p>\n Following Wyndham Championship<\/p>\n 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?<\/p>\n McIlroy is set to return at the BMW Championship.<\/p>\n The top 50 players in the FedEx Cup rankings will feature at Caves Valley Golf Club in Maryland.<\/p>\n McIlroy won the BMW Championship back in 2012, with this year’s event having a \u00a315million purse on offer.<\/p>\n The Tour Championship will be held the following week at East Lake in Atlanta, Georgia.<\/p>\n ‘My husband was the switch’ – Lydia Ko cried when Rory McIlroy won the grand slam, but nothing can stop retirement plan<\/p>\n A field of 30 players will be confirmed after the BMW Championship.<\/p>\n McIlroy holds the record for the most FedEx Cup triumphs with three titles in 2016, 2019 and 2022.<\/p>\n FedEx Cup prize money<\/p>\n![\"PORTRUSH,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Rory-McIlroy-2.jpg\")
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