Rory McIlroy's decision to skip the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, has sparked criticism, particularly from fans of golf legend Jack Nicklaus. This marks McIlroy's first absence from the event since 2017.
Nicklaus, who is 85 years old and the founder of the tournament, expressed his surprise at McIlroy's choice. “I haven’t talked to him for him to tell me why or why not,” Nicklaus remarked to reporters on May 27. “That’s just his call.”
Interestingly, McIlroy, 36, had previously sought Nicklaus's advice before the Masters, where he clinched victory on April 13, becoming only the sixth golfer to achieve a career grand slam. This achievement includes winning the Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship, and PGA Championship.
Despite their past interactions, Nicklaus has not heard from McIlroy since his Masters win. “I don’t hold anything against Rory for that,” he stated. “He did what he likes to play. I know he likes to play so many [tournaments] in a row. He likes to play the week before a U.S. Open. So that’s what he’s doing.”
McIlroy is set to compete in next week’s RBC Canadian Open in Caledon, Ontario, ahead of the 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club on June 12.
Nicklaus, who holds the record for 18 major championships, reflected on his own career choices. “I made a lot of calls that I had to make when I played, to play or not play,” he noted. “Sometimes it wasn’t popular.”
While Nicklaus remains a fan of McIlroy, the latter's perceived snub has not gone unnoticed by golf enthusiasts. The podcast “Flushing It” criticized McIlroy for skipping the event without informing Nicklaus directly. “After Jack Nicklaus giving Rory McIlroy time pre-Masters to help guide him on how best to play Augusta National, Rory is not only skipping his event but also didn’t give him the courtesy of a phone call to let him know…” they posted on X.
Fan reactions have been mixed, with some expressing disappointment in McIlroy's actions. One user commented, “Rory only cares about Rory. Trying to figure out how anyone is a fan of his.” Another added, “Typical Rory. Can’t even pick up the phone and call the man who helped put him over the top at the Masters.”
As the golf community watches closely, McIlroy's next moves will be scrutinized as he prepares for upcoming tournaments.
