PGA Tour Will Not Penalize McIlroy for Finishing One Event Short of Minimum

The PGA Tour will not take action against Rory McIlroy if he ends the season one event short of the 15-event minimum required for full membership status, GB News reported. McIlroy has competed in nine events so far and is expected to reach only 14 even if he plays the Genesis Scottish Open, The Open Championship and all three FedEx Cup Playoff events.

The tour handbook permits the commissioner to waive the requirement for foreign members in cases of medical reasons or other extraordinary circumstances.

GB News reported that the PGA Tour contacted reporter Bob Harig directly to highlight this provision after McIlroy skipped the Cadillac Championship, RBC Heritage and Travelers Championship. McIlroy used the week of the Travelers Championship to scout Royal Birkdale ahead of The Open.

The 37-year-old won the Masters in April for his second consecutive green jacket and sixth major title, finishing at 12-under par to edge Scottie Scheffler by one shot.

He finished tied for seventh at the PGA Championship at Aronimink, where Aaron Rai became the first English winner since 1919, and placed outside the top 30 at six-over par at the US Open at Shinnecock Hills. Past players faced stricter enforcement. Martin Kaymer lost full membership for the 2016 season after failing to meet the minimum.

Seve Ballesteros played only nine events in 1985 and was banned for the entire 1986 season. McIlroy said he intends to continue selecting events on his own terms. "I've been doing this a long time, I've been on Tour longer - more than half of my life at this point," he said.