Rory McIlroy has remained loyal to the PGA Tour during the tour’s ongoing feud with LIV Golf. He has jumped into the fray in support of the tour in recent months.
But after missing the cut at the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass on Saturday, the world’s third-ranked golfer admitted that the time he has spent speaking to the media and hosting player meetings has had a negative impact on his game.
«It’s just time management,» McIlroy said. «The golf [at tournaments]okay, but it’s more of the time at home to make sure you’re preparing, to make sure you’re doing everything you can to be ready once you get to these weeks.
«That’s where I’ve maybe sacrificed a little bit of time with some of this other stuff.»
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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland watches his shot on the sixth tee during the third round of the BMW Championship golf tournament at Wilmington Country Club. February 20, 2022, in Wilmington, Del. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
«Like I said, I’m ready to go back to being purely a golfer,» he said.
Prior to the start of the Arnold Palmer Invitational last week, McIlroy attended an hour-long player advisory committee meeting. He has also been on various calls with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, Tiger Woods and others.
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He needed 60 putts over two rounds and missed more than three field hits putting out the Players.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts to the gallery after his putt on the 16th hole during the third round of the BMW Championship golf tournament at Wilmington Country Club on August 20, 2022 in Wilmington, Delaware. (AP Photo/Julio Cortes)
«Just very blah,» McIlroy said of his performance. «I guess the course, you just have to be really good to play well here. If you’re a little bit off, it definitely magnifies where you’re at. It’s a bit of a puzzle. Some years I come here, it feels easier.» than others. It’s just a tricky golf course, and [if] You don’t hit streets, you have your job done for you.»
McIlroy will now turn his attention to the Masters, which is less than a month away. If he wins Augusta National, McIlroy will become the sixth men’s golfer to complete the Grand Slam of his career. He finished second in the Masters last year.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland watches his shot from the first fairway during the third round of the Memorial Golf Tournament on June 4, 2022 in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
McIlroy plans to take advantage by traveling to Georgia early next week for a few practice rounds.
«I’m just making sure my game is on point for Augusta,» McIlroy said. «Making sure I get all the shots. Making sure I familiarize myself with the golf course again and get up there for a couple of days. But, yeah, from now until early April, it’s really just about getting ready for Augusta.»
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McIlroy is set to play in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in Austin, Texas, ahead of the Masters. Earlier this week, the tour revealed plans for eight uncut elevated events beginning in 2024.