Rory McIlroy got fined millions for RBC Heritage withdrawal in savage PGA Tour rule

Masters champion Rory McIlroy is taking some time off following his recent triumph at Augusta and will not play in the RBC Heritage, a competition he was once heavily fined for missingRory McIlroy faced a heavy fine for missing the RBC Heritage in 2023(Image: Getty Images)

Rory McIlroy is taking a well-earned break after his stunning Masters victory, opting out of the RBC Heritage – a decision that won’t see him fined this time around.

Two years ago, the golf star faced a hefty £2.2million penalty for withdrawing from the same tournament, but changes in the PGA Tour’s rules mean he’s off the hook this year.

Back in 2023, players were landed with fines if they missed two signature events in one season, and after failing to make the cut at that year’s Masters, McIlroy chose to take the significant financial hit from his Player Impact Program.

“I had my reasons to not play Hilton Head and I’ve expressed those to Jay [Monahan],” McIlroy said at the time. “It was an easy decision, but I felt like if that fine or whatever is to happen was worth that for me in order to get some things in place.”

This year, McIlroy’s reason for skipping the event is far more joyous; he’s headed back to Northern Ireland to celebrate his Career Slam completion with loved ones.

The 35-year-old, who finally conquered Augusta National by beating Justin Rose in a thrilling play-off, had hinted at reducing his tournament appearances. And missing the Heritage is part of this strategy.

McIlroy lifts the Masters trophy after completing a career grand slam(Image: Getty)

“There’s a few tournaments that I played this year that I don’t usually play and that I might not play next year,” McIlroy told the Telegraph last November, reports the Express.

“I played the Cognizant [Classic] in Palm Beach Gardens, [the Texas Open in] San Antonio and the [RBC Heritage in] Hilton Head.

“And I’ll probably not play the first play-off event in Memphis. I mean, I finished basically dead last there this year, and only moved down one spot in the play-off standings.

McIlroy finally clinched the green jacket this month(Image: Getty)

“Well, at this point in my career… Hey, I’m 35 and have been out here for 17, 18 years, so I’m just going to go to the places that I enjoy and where I play well.

“Look, I’ve done the hard slog, I’ve done that sort of 25 to 30 events a year. And I’m not getting any younger.”

McIlroy will return to action next week when he looks to defend his Zurich Classic title with Shane Lowry in New Orleans. He’ll then have another weekend off before his warm-up for the PGA Championship at the Truist Championship.

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