With Rory McIlroy set to miss this week’s FedExCup Playoff event in Memphis, Tommy Fleetwood has given his verdict on the 2025 Masters winner’s decision

Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy were playing partners over the first two rounds at Portrush(Image: Getty)

Tommy Fleetwood believes Rory McIlroy is more than entitled to skip the FedExCup’s St. Jude Championship in Memphis this week, ahead of the tournament getting underway.

Thursday will see Fleetwood and the rest of the world’s best compete in the season-ending FedExCup Playoffs event at TPC Southwind, an event McIlroy has decided not to play in. While the 2025 Masters champion’s decision to skip the first event of the three-event playoff doesn’t affect his chances at a fourth FedEx Cup title, he has been criticized for doing so, being the only player from the field of 70 to skip the event.\

“I’ll probably not play the first playoff event in Memphis,” McIlroy told The Telegraph back in November 2024. “I mean, I finished basically dead last there this year [tied for 68 in a 70-man field], and only moved down one spot in the playoff standings.”

McIlroy has struggled during his career at TPC Southwind, having never won in Memphis in eight attempts. His best finish came back in 2023 when he finished third.

However, one individual who understands McIlroy’s decision is Fleetwood, who believes it is important for the 36-year-old to do what’s best for him.

“I like being in a rhythm playing but also, everyone has a choice whether they want to play or not, right,” explained Fleetwood.

“Especially someone like Rory, I think he can definitely pick the tournaments he wants to play and aim for the ones he feels like he wants to do best in and then plan his schedule around that.

McIlroy revealed that he would be cutting back his playing schedule in 2025(Image: Getty)

“I don’t feel like I’m in that position, I like playing when I get the chance to play. We’ve got so many big events now, elevated events, majors, playoffs.”

Fleetwood added: “I’m one who enjoys playing and getting into the rhythm of tour life. I feel best when I’m in that rhythm.

“Also, if you look at the summer, for me I feel like, we finished at the Travelers, then traveled back to Europe with two weeks off then I played the Scottish and the Open then two weeks off.

“I think it’s then perfect for me to play these three playoff events and that’s the PGA Tour season done.

“Everybody has their own idea of what is going to work best for them. For me, I’m just really looking forward to this week. So many weeks in the world of golf these days is such an opportunity to either change a season, do something special or add to already great careers.

“I’m just happy to be playing week in, week out and giving it my best shot.”