The 2025 Genesis Championship in South Korea kicks off without its biggest stars — Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Xander Schauffele. With $4 million on the line, Hideki Matsuyama and Sungjae Im headline a weakened field as questions grow about the DP World Tour’s global appeal.
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2025 Genesis Championship. Three major stars missing from the $4 million event win. Hideki Matsuyama and Sunjm headline a DP World Tour field. You know something’s a little different. That’s exactly the case this week as the 2025 Genesis Championship tease off at Wu Jong Hills Country Club in South Korea. Despite being the final regular season stop before the DP World Tour playoffs, the $4 million event is missing some serious star power. The world’s top three players, Scotty Sheoffller, Rory Mroy, and Xander Chauffell are all skipping the tournament, leaving a noticeable void on the leaderboard and in fan anticipation. Only two golfers inside the world’s top 50 have made the trip to Chenan. Matsyama number 18, and I’m number 36. Their presence will help, but the absences of the sports biggest names have reshaped the entire competitive outlook for the week. Scotty Sheoffller staying true to his priorities. World number one Scotty Sheffller is coming off one of the greatest individual seasons in modern golf. The American captured seven PGA Tour titles in 2024, including a second Masters, the Players Championship, and even Olympic gold in Paris. His historic run ended with another FedEx Cup victory and a staggering $29 million in official earnings. Yet, Sheffller has made it clear that he prioritizes majors and signature PGA Tour events over international stops. The Genesis Championship, despite its prestige, doesn’t align with his strategic focus. For Sheffler, maintaining peak form for golf’s biggest stages outweighs adding another DP World Tour start. His absence underlines just how selective he’s become with his schedule. Rory Mroy streamlining for longevity. Rory Mroy is also embracing a more selective approach. The Northern Irishman wrapped up his last DP World Tour start at the India Championship, finishing T15 in mid-occtober. At 35, Mroy has been outspoken about managing his workload more carefully, limiting his season to roughly 22 tournaments last year, balancing key PGA Tour and DP World Tour appearances. While he claimed two PGA Tour wins in 2024 and his sixth race to Dubai title, his 11-year major drought continues to hang over him. That pursuit is shaping his priorities now more than ever. The Genesis Championship, though significant, doesn’t fit into his finely tuned schedule designed to peak at majors and signature events. Xander Chauffell taking time to heal for Xander Chauffell. His absence comes down to health. The world number three began 2025 with optimism after a stellar 2024 season where he lifted both the PGA championship and the open and finished top 25 in all 22 starts. But a rib injury that surfaced late last year has disrupted his momentum. The strain forced him to withdraw from the American Express in January and struggle through limited starts since. Although Chaell has been cleared to practice, he remains cautious about returning too soon, prioritizing full recovery over forcing a comeback. Given his form and injury history, his decision to skip South Korea is a prudent one. A field missing its headliners beyond Matsuyama and M. The Genesis Championship Field lacks much of golf’s elite. Justin Thomas, number seven, Colin Morawa, number nine, and Victor Havland, number 11, are all absent as well. Meanwhile, Alivy golf players such as John Rom and Bryson Dashambo remain ineligible due to the ongoing standoff between the tours. That leaves defending champion Bayon Han and as one of the key story lines. He’ll attempt to defend his title against veterans like Adam Scott and Siwu Kim, while others in the field battle for valuable race to Dubai points to secure playoff spots and playing rights for next season. The bigger picture, the 2025 Genesis Championship highlights a growing divide in professional golf scheduling. For many top Americans, the DP World Tours Asian swing has become optional, an afterthought amid a crowded calendar. While South Korean fans will still enjoy a strong lineup of local and regional talent, the absences of Sheffler, Mroy, and Chaofell underscore a harsh truth. Global golf remains fragmented, and even $4 million in prize money isn’t always enough to lure the game’s biggest stars halfway around the world.
