Southport
Rory McIlroy will return to the FedExCup Playoffs next week, committing to compete in the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis, the PGA Tour announced.
The Northern Ireland star had skipped the playoff opener at TPC Southwind last year but will now join a 70-player field at the Memphis tournament.
McIlroy’s participation adds considerable star power to the opening event of the postseason. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, defending FedExCup champion Tommy Fleetwood and defending FedEx St. Jude Championship winner Justin Rose are also expected to compete.
The 37-year-old McIlroy will make only his 12th start of the season. He has not played competitively since The Open Championship last month and will now return to action with his focus firmly on the FedExCup title.
McIlroy currently sits 12th in the FedExCup standings. His only victory of the season came at The Masters in April, where he completed the career Grand Slam.
The upcoming tournament presents McIlroy with another opportunity to build momentum during the crucial closing stretch of the PGA Tour season. He will be seeking his fourth FedExCup title, having previously won the season-long competition three times.
His decision to compete in Memphis marks a change from last year, when he opted to miss the playoff opener.
The presence of McIlroy, Scheffler, Fleetwood and Rose is expected to make the tournament one of the major attractions of the opening playoff week. The FedEx St. Jude Championship will begin the postseason race as players battle to advance through the playoff stages.
McIlroy’s return also provides an early test of his form after a break since The Open.