Rory McIlroy didn’t move in the FedEx Cup standings after bypassing last week’s playoff opener. Still, he said Wednesday at the BMW Championship that even a significant drop wouldn’t have changed his mind. His choice, he explained, was about managing a packed schedule — seven more events after next week’s Tour Championship in Atlanta.
The Masters champion, who remains No. 2 in the FedEx Cup behind Scottie Scheffler, acknowledged the ongoing debate over whether playoff events should be mandatory.
He floated the idea of resetting points after each stage to create a more traditional elimination format, but noted the need to balance competitive integrity with sponsor and broadcaster expectations.
Looking Beyond the PGA Tour Playoffs
McIlroy, 35, said his situation is different from most players. Many are still fighting to reach the Tour Championship, while he’s deep into an 18-year professional career and already has a busy calendar.
“I just think that extra week off will do me good with the events coming up,” he said, citing the Irish Open, BMW PGA Championship, Ryder Cup, and a push for his seventh Race to Dubai title.
After East Lake, his schedule includes consecutive starts at the Irish Open and BMW PGA, followed by the Ryder Cup, the India Championship, and back-to-back events in the Middle East. He’ll finish the year at the Australian Open in December, which will count toward the 2026 DP World Tour season.
