Jack Nicklaus 'surprised' that Rory McIlroy snubbed his tournament

May 28, 2025

Rory McIlroy won’t feature at Jack Nicklaus’ Memorial Tournament this week for the first time since 2017.

Golf legend Nicklaus has announced his surprise that McIlroy hasn’t called him to reveal his reasoning for sitting out.

McIlroy, 36, has now missed three of the PGA Tour’s signature events this year, having failed to feature in The Sentry and RBC Heritage.

When asked for his reaction to McIlroy’s absence, Nicklaus said: “Yeah, it surprised me.

“But, you know, guys have got schedules and got things they do. And, you know, I haven’t talked to him for him to tell me why or why not. It’s just his call.

“I made a lot of calls that I had to make when I played to play or not play and sometimes it wasn’t as popular as people thought it was. But, you know, sometimes you have to make those calls.

“I don’t hold anything against Rory for that.

“I know he likes to play so many in a row. He likes to play the week before the US Open.

“And so that’s what he’s doing. So, you know, I really don’t have a comment on it.

“It’s very difficult, very difficult. I mean, I’m a big Rory fan, I always have been. I’m sure that I will remain that way. I just, I was a little surprised, yes.”

Scottie Scheffler, perhaps unsurprisingly, won the event at Muirfield Village last year, pocketing a cool $4million in the process.

Rory McIlroy looking towards US Open

McIlroy’s absence may raise eyebrows considering it’s a tournament that has eluded his career so far.

In April, he became just the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam following his famous victory at the Masters. Nicklaus is also part of that elite group, with the 85-year-old winning 18 major titles.

McIlroy struggled to maintain his form at the PGA Championship and tied for 47th place at Quail Hollow. He then refused to partake in any press interviews throughout the week.

The third major of the year, the US Open, is just two weeks away, so McIlroy can be excused for putting his focus towards the tournament at The Oakmont Country Club.

It’s unclear whether McIlroy will feature in the Canadian Open next week. After the US Open, the PGA Tour’s final signature event of the season – The Travelers Championship – gets underway.

Paul McGinley’s defence of the Northern Irishman

During the PGA Championship, it emerged that McIlroy was forced to change his driver before a ball was hit.

The Grand Slam winner was one of the players who was randomly selected by the USGA to have his equipment checked. Around a third of the field gets tested.

His driver crossed a testing threshold, simply meaning the ball would typically travel further off the tee. Although players are usually unaware of the issue.

Winner Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele were also tested and c riticised how the PGA go about their testing rules.

McGinley told the Golf Channel: “What his reasons were for not speaking, I don’t know.

“What I will say about the equipment issue—and Scottie Scheffler is correct— the authorities need to take ownership of this and not leave it down to the players to deal with it.

“Why didn’t they come out and just be transparent and make a nice announcement at the start of the week? Or do something every single week?

“I mean, there’s enough money around the game. Have somebody there every week that checks 156 drivers. It’s not difficult.

“People on social media are coming out and saying ‘How long has it been that kind of driver?’ and, ‘Was it at the Masters, or was it not?’ I mean, this is all speculation that shouldn’t have happened.

“Then the PGA puts out a statement to say, ‘Oh, we’re protecting the players.’ You’re not protecting the players. Quite clearly, you’ve exposed Rory.

“Scottie has admitted that he’s had it as well. But that rumour didn’t come out. Rory’s rumour did come out, and all of a sudden the speculation on social media escalates and it’s out of control.”