During the 2024 PGA Tour season Rory McIlroy made headlines when he received a $3 million fine for withdrawing from the RBC Heritage.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan confirmed McIlroy would lose 25% of his Player Impact Program bonus as a result of missing the tournament.
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“When we made the commitment to this schedule with the Player Impact Program, we adjusted for one opt-out and for any second opt-out, you forfeit 25 percent unless there were some medical issues,” Monahan said in a session with reporters from multiple outlets. “When you’re in a situation like that, you just have to look at the criteria. In terms of any situation like that, we’re going to look at a situation and we’re going to make a decision.”
“Per PGA Tour rules, players were allowed to miss only one designated event in the program’s first season, and those who missed more than one event would be penalized 25% of their Player Impact Program winnings,” Golf.com wrote at the time.
McIlroy made it clear the money wasn’t a major factor, calling it an “easy” decision. “We certainly have our minimums,” he said at the time. “We obviously signed up for this designated-event series this year. I obviously knew the consequences that could come with missing one of those. 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.”
Fast forward to the 2025 season and McIlroy is back in the headlines following his decision to skip the Memorial Tournament put on by the legendary Jack Nicklaus. According to a report from ESPN, this marks the first time since 2017 that he will not participate in the tournament.
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Despite not competing in the event, McIlroy will not be fine – or fail to realize his full bonus – as the PGA Tour did away with the Player Impact Program following the 2024 season.
After completing the career grand slam by winning the Masters in April, McIlroy put together two top-20 finishes at the Zurich Classic and Truist Championship before struggling at the PGA Championship this month. He finished the tournament 3-over and tied for 47th place.
Related: Amanda Balionis Breaks Silence on Rory McIlroy Slight
Rory McIlroy Won’t Be Punished for Missing Memorial Tournament – Here’s Why first appeared on Men’s Journal on May 25, 2025
