The 2014 PGA Championship was the last time Rory McIlroy raised a major championship trophy. Now four years removed, a frustrated McIlroy is considering skipping the first FedEx Cup Playoff event to reassess his game.
Rory McIlroy completed a frustrating PGA Championship campaign and hinted that he could take a break from golf to work on his game ahead of the Ryder Cup. https://t.co/7NByJTFSuv pic.twitter.com/OIUdnqVVM9
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) August 12, 2018
“It’s been a year of showing glimpses of what I can do, but I just haven’t done it often enough,” McIlroy said after an even-par 70 left him 14 shots back of the winner. “I have to wait another eight months for the next (major), but obviously there is still a lot to play for.
“I need to assess where I’m at. I think the best thing for me to do right now is take a couple days off, reflect on what I need to do going forward. The best thing might be to take that first FedEx Cup week off and work on my game and come back, hopefully, in a better place for Boston.
“Historically, the first FedEx playoff event hasn’t been my best event of the four. I’ve played well in Boston. I’ve played pretty well in the other two. So, we’ll see. I’ll see how I feel. I’ll do some practice this week and see if I feel ready to go there and play five out of six weeks leading up to the Ryder Cup.”
It’s not uncommon for players to skip the first playoff event given the hectic schedule at the end of the major season. McIlroy has done it before as well, skipping it in 2015. His best finish at The Northern Trust, which will be held in two weeks at Ridgewood Country Club, is a tie for 19th in 2013.
