McGinley: McIlroy Skipping Irish Open "A Sign Of The Times"

The Irish Open host says that the top players now focus heavily on the Majors

McIlroy Skipping Irish Open

The Irish Open host says that the top players now focus heavily on the Majors

McGinley: McIlroy Skipping Irish Open "A Sign Of The Times"

Earlier this year Rory McIlroy announced that he'll be missing the Irish Open and tournament host Paul McGinley doesn't seem surprised with his decision after speaking to the BBC.

McIlroy is skipping his home event for the first time in his professional career in order to prepare for the Open Championship at Royal Portrush, as the Open visits his home country for the first time since 1951.

McGinley hosts the Irish Open at Lahinch this July and says that Rory's decision to miss the event is a "sign of the times."

"It was (a disappointment) but this is something we're going to see more of going forward," the 2014 European Ryder Cup captain told the BBC.

"The challenges the players have on the world schedule are huge. The amount of money they play for around the world is huge and the focus is very much going to be on Major Championships. I think it's just a sign of the times.

"He (McIlroy) is not the only one, Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka as well as Tiger Woods - look at his schedule right through his career - they don't play a huge amount and they define everything around the major championships.

"The days of old when Seve, Faldo, Langer, Woosie and all the top players played in an Irish Open, those days are gone."

Rory is playing in the Scottish Open the week prior to the Open but is opting to take the week before off, otherwise he would have played three weeks in a row.

He didn't want to go Irish Open - week off - Open because he would like to play competitive links golf a week before he aims to secure a second Claret Jug on home soil.

“For me, that’s not the best way to prepare for what could be the biggest event of my life," he said earlier this year.

“I love the Irish Open. I’ve supported it in my whole career,” he told BBC Northern Ireland.

“The people of Ireland are still going to see me playing golf because I’m going to play The Open Championship and I’m sure a lot of people will travel from down south to see me play.

“I’m going to make decisions that are the best thing for me. If that upsets anyone, then I’m sorry – that’s not my problem, that’s their problem.

“If I could pick one tournament to win this year, it would be Portrush. I would definitely have Augusta on the backburner.

“I never thought I would play a major in Northern Ireland. It would be the biggest achievement of my career if I was able to win it.”

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Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!

Elliott is currently playing:

Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV