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Rory McIlroy Commits to FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis

The move signals how elite players respond to the PGA Tour’s new FedExCup incentives by using exemptions to run selective schedules.

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Golf - The 154th Open Championship - Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Southport, Britain - July 19, 2026 Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy watches his tee shot on the 1st hole during the final round REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

Overview

  • The PGA Tour confirmed Friday that McIlroy has committed to the 70-man FedEx St. Jude Championship field at TPC Southwind for the playoffs opener.
  • McIlroy will make his 12th start of the season in Memphis and enters the event at No. 12 in the FedExCup standings thanks largely to his Masters win and other big finishes.
  • The Tour has granted McIlroy a reprieve from its 15-event minimum under the ‘extenuating circumstances’ clause, allowing him to keep a selective schedule this season.
  • McIlroy has publicly said recent FedExCup format changes, which guarantee Top 30 entry into the Tour Championship, made the first two playoff events less meaningful and influenced his prior decision to skip Memphis.
  • Reports also place McIlroy on the entry list for the Amgen Irish Open and the BMW PGA Championship in September, a choice that keeps him competing on both the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour and could shape how top players balance rival schedules going forward.