Rory McIlroy allowed to break PGA Tour rule via ‘loophole clause’ | Golf | Sport

Rory McIlroy is to reportedly be allowed to avoid punishment for failing to meet the PGA Tour’s 15-event minimum per season, as the league points out “extenuating circumstances” for the Masters champion. The Northern Irishman has been able to avoid being cut from next year’s PGA Tour as he is both a foreign and a lifelong member.

According to the regulations, McIlroy will be able to play in only 14 events due to an exception that allows him to retain his membership. The rules read: “The commissioner, upon application by a foreign member and for medical reasons or other extraordinary circumstances that the commissioner, at his discretion, determines to be a valid reason for not playing in at least 15 PGA Tour cosponsored or approved tournaments, may reduce the 15-minimum (or 12-minimum as the case may be) tournament requirement.”

It adds: “A foreign PGA Tour member shall be eligible for a ‘home circuit’ exception to provisions of the release regulations with regard to conflicting tournaments provided he has played, or committed to play, in a minimum of 15 PGA Tour cosponsored or approved tournaments in the season.

“Or in the case of a Regular Member or Life Member who is age 45 or more and has made 150 cuts or more in tournaments awarding official prize money in his career, in a minimum of 12 PGA Tour cosponsored or approved tournaments in the season.”

The PGA Tour has also removed age and the number of seasons as requirements for becoming a lifetime member. This means that McIlroy earned the lifetime membership after reaching 20 wins before the 2023 campaign.

This gave him the eligibility to play on the PGA Tour for the rest of his career. The new discretionary clause effectively served as an out for McIlroy, and allowed the PGA to make such a call.

McIlroy was on his way to avoid requiring exemption from the commissioner if he had played in the Travelers Championship.

However, the 37-year-old opted to spend time at Royal Birkdale to prepare for the upcoming Open Championship. Speaking to Sir Nick Faldo ahead of the final major of the year, McIlroy said: “I’ve always thought Birkdale is one of the best on the Open rota, so excited to be back.

“It’s good. A little bit different from 2017, the last time we played an Open here. Some different green complexes, different holes.

“The fifth hole I just played is completely different. I like it. A good drivable par four. A bit of a penalty if you get it and miss. I don’t know if the water is quite in play on the right but a lot of big deep bunkers guarding the green.”