Masters champion Rory McIlroy has been selective with his tournaments since winning at Augusta, and has a chance to claim another major at the upcoming US PGA Championship
Rory McIlroy will be back in action this weekend(Image: Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy has cut short his break from golf in order to play at this week’s Truist Championship. The Masters winner was absent from the CJ Cup Byron Nelson last weekend and had the opportunity to continue to recuperate ahead of the US PGA, but he has decided to get back out on the course.
McIlroy spoke about his plans for a reset following his victory at Augusta. It meant passing up on a shot at the £1.3million top prize in Texas, which was claimed by Scottie Scheffler.
“I’ve got to just take a little bit of time here,” McIlroy said after the recent Zurich Classic. “It’s nice to have a week off, and reset and try to get some practice in.
“I feel like it’s like two practice weeks coming up in a way, with next week at home and then Truist, as well, in some ways. Yeah, I’m looking forward to a couple of days off and then sort of kicking the feet up and trying to recharge the batteries a little bit.”
McIlroy is returning to the Truist Championship to defend the title he won last year. It has been moved to Pennsylvania from its usual location of Quail Hollow, though, with the North Carolina course hosting this year’s US PGA.
“It’s my first start as a pro, 11 years ago, when I had my sister caddying for me – she’s back there too. It feels like a lifetime of hard work and sacrifice for little moments like these, and they’re pretty special.”
Scottie Scheffler won the Byron Nelson in Rory McIlroy’s absence(Image: AP)
McIlroy is the only four-time winner of the Truist Championship and its previous guises of the Wells Fargo Championship and Quail Hollow Championship. His victories came in 2010, 2015, 2021 and 2024, with last year’s triumph seeing him cruise to victory despite going into the final round trailing leader Xander Schauffele.
The Northern Irishman already has three high-profile victories this year after winning at Pebble Beach, his Players Championship win and his historic victory at Augusta. His Masters win came via a play-off against Justin Rose, and saw him become just the sixth man to complete a career Grand Slam.
Jordan Spieth has the chance to become the seventh if he wins the US PGA, and a final round 62 at the Byron Nelson gave a glimpse of what the American can deliver. However, he recognised McIlroy’s form at Quail Hollow will be tough to contend with, jokingly describing the course as “Rory McIlroy Country Club” after the Masters champion backed him to join him in the exclusive club.