McIlroy skipping Memorial after giving PGA the silent treatment 

McIlroy's next appearance will now come at the RBC Canadian Open in Toronto in two weeks. His usual Wednesday morning media appearance there will likely be more anticipated than usual. 

STAYING SILENT: Rory McIlroy who made a somewhat scrappy start in his bid for back-to-back major titles in the 107th US PGA Championship. Pic: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire.

Reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy will skip next week's Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio.

McIlroy is not on the list of competitors for the event, marking the first time since 2017 that he will not participate in the tournament.

The decisions comes hot on the heels of a peculiar week at the year's second major in Quail Hollow when the Irishman, fresh from his Augusta triumph, underperformed and stayed largely silent, refusing to speak to media for four-straight days of competition.

His decision to stay quiet came against the backdrop of reports around McIlroy's driver failing a pre-PGA Championship compliance test, the big stick being deemed non-conforming by USGA tests. 

McIlroy opted not to play in this week's Charles Schwab in Texas, flying with caddie Harry Diamond to watch Manchester United's insipid surrender to Tottenham Hotspur in this week's Europa League Final in Bilbao.  His decision to skip the Memorial, an elevated event on the Tour schedule, is much more noteworthy. 

Eighteen of the 20 top-ranked golfers in the world are expected to take part in the event. McIlroy currently is ranked No. 2, while No. 10 Bryson DeChambeau competes on the LIV Tour. No. 1 Scottie Scheffler will defend his 2024 title at the Muirfield Village Golf Club.

Since he completed the career Grand Slam at Augusta National on April 13, McIlory has managed two top-12 finishes, placing tied for 12th at the Zurich Classic (April 24-27) and seventh at the Truist Championship (May 8-11).

McIlroy, 36, struggled at last weekend's PGA Championship, finishing at plus-3 and tied for 47th place. Scheffler captured his third career major in Charlotte, N.C.

McIlroy's next appearance will now come at the RBC Canadian Open in Toronto in two weeks, a tournament he has won twice and returned to often. His usual Wednesday morning media appearance there will likely be more anticipated than usual. 

Jack Nicklaus founded The Memorial Tournament in 1976 and continues to serve as the tournament host. Patrick Cantlay, the 15th-ranked player, has won two championships in the past six years (2019, 2021).

Reuters