PONTE VEDRA BEACH (Fla.) Rory McIlroyDuring its ongoing battle against LIV Golf, McIlroy has been a face and loyal supporter of the PGA Tour. McIlroy has been a prominent figure in the past few months, whether it was organizing players meetings, formulating new models for tour, or speaking with media.
McIlroy acknowledged that his off-course duties had caused him to miss the cut at the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.
McIlroy stated, Its just time management. The golf is a game of skill. [at tournaments]Thats okay. But its more important to spend time at home getting ready and to be prepared for when you arrive at these weeks. I may have sacrificed some of my time for this.
As I said, im ready to go back to being a pure golfer.
McIlroy was present at a seven-hour-long meeting of the players advisory committee prior to last weeks Arnold Palmer Invitational. He has been on numerous calls with Jay Monahan, PGA Tour commissioner. Tiger WoodsOthers.
McIlroys plodding and erratic driving let him down at Players. He finished the 36-hole second round with a 1-over 73 and was 5 over. It was his sixth career miss cut at the Players.
McIlroy, ranked No. McIlroy, ranked No. 3 in the world, required 60 putts in two rounds. He also lost more than 3 strokes to his field in putting. He drove 305.2 miles, but was tied for 117th on driving accuracy. He only hit 13 of the 28 fairways at Stadium Course.
McIlroy called his performance very blah. I guess the course is that you have to be really good to play well here. If you are a little off, it magnifies your errors. Its a bit mysterious. Its easier for me to come here some years than others. Its a difficult course of golf. [if]You dont hit fairways.
McIlroy still has less than a month before the Masters, the first major championship in the season, is scheduled for April 6-9. McIlroy will attempt to become the sixth male golfer in history to win a green jacket. After shooting an 8-under 64 in last round, the four-time major champion finished 2nd at the Masters.
He said that he was heading to Augusta National Monday and Tuesday for practice rounds.
McIlroy stated that McIlroy was simply trying to make sure his game is ready for Augusta. Making certain that Im familiar with the course. Making sure Im familiar with the course and going up there for a few days. From now through April, its all about getting prepared for Augusta.
McIlroy will be playing in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in Austin (Texas) on March 22-25.
McIlroy is attempting to get back to his game by announcing this week that the tour will have eight elevated events, with limited fields and no cuts beginning in 2024.
McIlroy said, I would love to get back into golfing, yeah. Its been quite busy these past few weeks and its been an extremely busy six to eight month period. However, as I stated at the beginning, everything has been announced and the wheels have been set in motion. It should therefore quieten down from now on.
