Rory McIlroy has reversed his typical approach to playing tournaments in the lead-up to majors, aligning with Scottie Scheffler's stance. The Northern Irish star is absent from the Canadian Open, currently taking place in Toronto, as he confirmed he would be taking a break before competing in the third major of the season, the US Open, which commences on Thursday, June 18.
McIlroy's Schedule Change
The two-time Masters champion is understood to be carefully managing his schedule in the build-up to the event at Shinnecock Hills. McIlroy and Scheffler have previously held differing views on competing in tournaments before majors. The American star is not in favour and is therefore also sitting out the Toronto-based competition, in keeping with his usual approach.
Speaking in 2025, McIlroy stated he supported playing ahead of a prestigious event, though not immediately afterwards, a stance he has now reversed ahead of this year's US Open.
McIlroy's Earlier Comments
"Before, I'm all for," he said. "After, I wouldn't. I'm not a huge fan of it, but there's only so many weeks in the year. I really like playing the week before if it makes sense."
Scheffler's Perspective
Scheffler, the world No. 1, took a different view to McIlroy. "I typically don't love playing the week before a major," he said. "It's nice to have so many tournaments that are really good. If I had it my way I would play every single week out here. But just the nature of our sport and the demand on our time and everything it's not really possible."
He added: "If y'all were to walk with me each day of the tournament and see what we have to do in order to play one week, having to do that four weeks in a row. I wouldn't be able to perform my best. So when I show up at a tournament I want to be able to give it my best and I have to set up my schedule in a certain way and, you know, the chips kind of fall where they do."
Recent Performance and Preparation
McIlroy competed at the Memorial earlier this month, where he finished in a tie for 12th alongside Scheffler and Justin Rose. The Northern Irishman now has his sights firmly fixed on capturing a second major championship of the campaign at Southampton, New York, next week.
Prior to the Memorial, he headed home to spend quality time with his family and undertake focused practice sessions at his 9 million pound residence on the prestigious Wentworth estate in Surrey.
"I had a couple of weeks off and we got ourselves settled into our house in London for the summer. It was nice to be there for the last 10 days," the Holywood-born player said.
Following the Memorial, McIlroy acknowledged he had aspects of his game to address before the US Open. "Off the tee still wasn't where I want it to be," he said. "Thankfully, the fairways at Shinnecock are a little wider than they are here. But, yeah, still need to work on that. I need to work on how I'm hitting it off the tee."
