Golf legend Jack Nicklaus admitted he was surprised by Rory McIlroy’s decision to skip his Memorial Tournament this week.

For the first time since 2017, the newly crowned Masters Champion will not compete at Nicklaus’ annual event at the Muirfield Village Golf Club.

In a pre-tournament press conference, the ‘Golden Bear’ revealed he was in the dark about McIlroy’s reasons for sitting out until days before the tournament.

Nicklaus said: “I was sort of aware of it about the middle of last week.”

“Yeah it surprised me,” he continued.

“But guys have got schedules and got things they do.

“I haven’t talked to him for him to tell me why or why not. That’s just his call.”

The reigning Master champion’s decision to miss a third PGA Tour Signature Event is drawing attention, given it was a concept he was behind initiating.

McIlroy also missed the season-opening Sentry tournament in Hawaii and the RBC Heritage, which was the week after his grand slam completing Master’s victory.

The idea of these limited-field tournaments, with increased prize money and FedExCup points was conceived in 2022 in response to the threat of LIV Golf.

The Memorial Tournament, founded by the Nicklaus in 1976, is one of the eight signature events for the 2025 season.

Despite McIlroy decision to skip his event, the 18-time major winner remains a ‘big fan’ of the Northern Irishman.

“I made a lot of calls when I played to play or not play and sometimes it wasn’t as popular as people thought it was. Sometimes you have to make those calls,” said Nicklaus.

“I don’t hold anything against Rory for that, he does what he likes to play.

“I know he likes to play so many in a row, he likes to play the week before a US Open, so that’s what he is doing.

“I really don’t have a comment on this. It’s very difficult, very difficult.

“I’m a big Rory fan, always have been, and I’m sure that I will remain that way.”

When he won The Masters in April, McIlroy joined Nicklaus in an elite club of six players who have completed a career grand slam of all four major tournaments.

Ahead of tournament, Nicklaus took the time to chat with McIlroy about how he would approach the course.

Over a lunch, the six-time Masters winner discussed shot by shot how McIlroy would tackle Augusta which ultimately came down to a nail biting play off victory over Justin Rose.

After a disappointing PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, a course McIlroy has enjoyed incredible success at in the past, the Northern Irishman hasn’t played since.

He is set to take part in the RBC Canadian Open, the final PGA tour event before the US Open.

While McIlroy won’t be making an appearance at Muirfield Village, reigning champion and PGA Championship winner Scottie Scheffler will be, alongside Collin Morikawa, Shane Lowry and Xander Schauffele.