Lucas Glover, who is well-connected within the PGA Tour, has shed some light on how Rory McIlroy’s choice to miss the FedEx St. Jude Championship is being viewed inside the game.
Glover does not shy away from sharing his thoughts on how the PGA Tour can move forward, and was not surprised by McIlroy’s move.
He withdrew from Memphis to rest for the remaining FedEx Cup Playoff events, a decision that drew plenty of criticism.
The Northern Irishman has taken a fair bit of heat for that call, although it may not be entirely deserved.
There have been reports suggesting that people inside the PGA Tour were not happy with McIlroy missing Memphis.
Now, Glover has added some more detail to what’s really happening behind closed doors.
Lucas Glover speaks out on Rory McIlroy’s absence at TPC Southwind
Lucas Glover has shared his thoughts on Rory McIlroy’s absence from the FedEx St. Jude Championship, speaking about it during an appearance on SIRIUSXM PGA TOUR Radio.
“He can do whatever he wants and nobody can really say anything. Is it unfortunate for the tour? Yes. Is it unfortunate for the tournament? Yes. Is it unfortunate for the sponsors? Yes, but Rory has got to do what’s best for Rory,” Glover said.
“Rory has played a lot of golf and he’s going to play a lot of golf after this, I understand that. Do I wish he was here? Sure. I know the tournament does, the sponsors do, the TV does but, with the current setup, they can’t say anything because it’s his choice, and it should be because we are technically independent contractors.
“I do think that now the precedent is set, there is perhaps reason to address this going forward. That being said, I don’t blame him. There is nothing anybody can do. He’s doing what’s best for him right now this year and that’s fine. He has played a ton and he’s going to play a ton later and doesn’t want to be here so that is that.”
How the PGA Tour could respond to Rory McIlroy’s St. Jude Championship absence
McIlroy’s decision not to play in the FedEx St. Jude Championship has led some to believe the PGA Tour is moving into uncertain ground.
Golf Channel journalist Ryan Lavner said that before closing any loopholes, the Tour needs to be careful.
“This is not a new problem. Tiger Woods has skipped playoff events before. Vijay [Singh] did it. Webb Simpson actually skipped a BMW Championship one year to prioritise rest and recovery heading into the Tour Championship.
“The reason I bring it up is because Peter Malnati, a player director on the PGA Tour policy board, mentioned that he was ‘very concerned’ about the prospect of a player of Rory McIlroy’s ilk who decides to skip one of the post season events and seemed to suggest that the PGA Tour was already looking to close that loophole.
“To me that is dangerous territory. The PGA Tour has already tried to have compulsory participation with the elevated events a couple of years ago. That backfired, players were still skipping them and they ended up relinquishing that mandate.”
The only way for all three Playoff events to guarantee attendance from every top golfer would be for those leading in FedEx Cup standings prior to the Tour Championship to get some sort of advantage over others.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
