Rory McIlroy has decided to sit out next week’s Cadillac Championship at Trump Doral, making it the second £16 million Signature Event in a row that the Northern Irishman has chosen to miss this season.
It’s a bold move from golf’s most recognisable face, particularly given his incredible recent form.
The 36-year-old completed the career Grand Slam at Augusta last year and successfully defended his Masters title just weeks ago, cementing his status as the sport’s dominant force.
Yet despite being at the peak of his powers, McIlroy has opted against competing in Miami, sparking plenty of debate among fans about what this means for the PGA Tour.
Rory McIlroy has withdrawn from next week’s Cadillac Championship at Trump Doral
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The reaction from golf fans has been swift, with many questioning whether the PGA Tour’s current setup is fit for purpose.
“Rory can play when he likes. This is what the PGA Tour has become,” one supporter commented.
Another fan put it more bluntly: “It is the only major sports organisation in which its star players don’t have to compete on a regular basis.”
Some have called for urgent changes, with one writing: “The players have run too long on their leash and the game is broken – too much player $ for not enough sponsor commitment and charity benefit. FIX IT!”
Others questioned the rules themselves, asking: “What happened to only being allowed to skip one signature event a year?”
Rory McIlroy won The Masters earlier this month for the second time in a row
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The scheduling has certainly played a part in McIlroy’s thinking.
Having two Signature Events running back-to-back immediately before the PGA Championship means top players would face three consecutive weeks of competition – something McIlroy clearly wants to avoid.
“The PGA Tour needs to sort its schedule out,” one fan noted, highlighting how this calendar crunch affects participation.
McIlroy isn’t alone in giving Miami a miss, either.
Xander Schauffele, Bob MacIntyre, Ludvig Aberg and Matt Fitzpatrick are all expected to skip the event as well.
Most professionals typically play between 22 and 26 tournaments annually, balancing performance demands with rest – and it seems the timing before a major simply doesn’t work for many of the game’s biggest names.
