Rory McIlroy’s decision to skip the 2025 Memorial Tournament, hosted by golf legend Jack Nicklaus at Muirfield Village Golf Club, has sparked a firestorm of debate, with many interpreting the move as a surprising slight toward the 18-time major champion. The world No. 2 and reigning Masters winner, who has not missed the prestigious PGA Tour signature event since 2017, opted out of the tournament, prompting sharp criticism from fans and a pointed response from Nicklaus himself.
McIlroy, 36, cited a need to manage his schedule ahead of the U.S. Open, choosing to play the RBC Canadian Open the following week instead. The decision, however, raised eyebrows given McIlroy’s close relationship with Nicklaus, who personally advised him on Augusta National strategy during a pre-Masters lunch in Florida. Nicklaus’s counsel proved pivotal, as McIlroy’s measured approach led to a dramatic playoff victory over Justin Rose.
Speaking to reporters today, Nicklaus expressed surprise and subtle disappointment, revealing that McIlroy did not personally inform him of his withdrawal.
“I didn’t have a conversation with him,” Nicklaus said, adding, “It surprised me a little bit.”
The 85-year-old icon, who founded the Memorial in 1976 and continues to host it, emphasized he holds no grudge but admitted the lack of communication was unexpected. “I’m a big Rory fan and I’ll remain that way, but I was a bit surprised, yes,” he said, fueling perceptions of a diss.
Fans on social media were less forgiving, with some labeling McIlroy’s absence a “bad look” and others accusing him of disrespecting Nicklaus, especially in a year honoring Nicklaus’s wife, Barbara, as the tournament’s honoree.
McIlroy’s decision follows a turbulent stretch. At the PGA Championship, he finished a lackluster T47, hampered by a non-conforming driver controversy that forced a mid-week club switch. His subsequent media silence drew further scrutiny. Some speculate his Memorial withdrawal reflects frustration with the PGA Tour or a strategic focus on majors, as he’s also skipped two other 2025 signature events, The Sentry and RBC Heritage.
Golf Channel’s Ryan Lavner called the move “controversial,” arguing that Nicklaus “deserves [McIlroy’s] support” given their history. Lavner noted McIlroy’s willingness to skip high-profile events, even at the cost of past penalties, like a $2 million Player Impact Program deduction for missing the 2023 RBC Heritage.
“Rory’s a special case,” Lavner said, but added, “It’s not a great look.”
With a stacked field, including defending champion Scottie Scheffler, the Memorial will proceed without McIlroy’s star power. Nicklaus, while diplomatic, subtly contrasted McIlroy’s “unpredictable” style with Scheffler’s precision, hinting at underlying tensions.
