"Feel a bit like a part-timer these days" - Rory McIlroy doubles down on PGA Tour plans

Rory McIlroy says he will continue to be selective over when and where he plays on the PGA Tour. 

The Masters champion has been criticised in recent years for skipping some of the $20m signature events despite being heavily involved in the governance process that created and shaped them in response to LIV Golf. 

After skipping two back-to-back earlier this season, McIlroy explained that he has just decided to play in tournaments that would give him the best chance of being successful in the four men's majors and bring his life balance. 

"That's what Tiger used to do," McIlroy said. 

The Northern Irishman, 37, told reporters before the Memorial that his stance is unlikely to change even when the PGA Tour rolls out a two-tier system from 2028. 

In March, PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp outlined plans to double the number of signature events, expand field sizes to 120 players and bring back 36-hole cuts. 

Rolapp said the schedule would likely be split up into 'Track 1' and 'Track 2' events, with players moving between the two based on their performance. 

There are rumours players eligible for 'Track 1' may be prohibited from entering the lower tier. 

"I think with the Track 1 events expanded to 120 players, I think I would back myself to finish in that top 100 or whatever it is if I play a limited schedule," McIlroy said, who joked to reporters on Wednesday that he felt like a "part-timer" these days. 

"I've been doing this a long time. I've been on Tour more than half of my life at this point. So I'll pick and choose my spots like I have been doing sort of the last 18 months to two years. 

"Does it mean it makes it harder for myself to win the FedExCup or whatever the season-long title race is going to be called? Absolutely. 

"But I'm okay with that because it brings balance to my life and let's me enjoy things outside of the game."

McIlroy added that he liked the flexibility of being able to register the week before a tournament begins. 

"In the middle of the week before if you feel like you want to get some competitive reps under your belt, you can enter," he said.

"It's frustrated me over my career"

This week, McIlroy is making his first start since the PGA Championship. 

McIlroy was in contention to win the Wanamaker Trophy last month but failed to gather momentum to catch Aaron Rai in the final round at Aronimink. 

He said the Memorial Tournament was one of two that he really wants to win before he retires.

McIlroy has won at Bay Hill but the victory came after Arnold Palmer's death. 

The Genesis Invitational is also on his radar.

"I would say here and Tiger's event at Riviera, they're the two that I would love to win," McIlroy said.  

"I've been lucky enough to win at Bay Hill, but not while Arnold was alive. 

"So I always thought it would be cool to win here and take that little walk up the hill off the 18th green and shake Jack's hand. 

"Jack and I share a nice history. We've known each other now for nearly 20 years - or I've known him for nearly 20 years. 

"He's been nothing but great to me and my family. So, yeah, this is certainly one I would love to get done."

McIlroy said he has been frustrated with Muirfield Village over the years, particularly as the course takes the driver out of his hands. 

"I pride myself on that being one of my biggest weapons," he added. 

"The fairways pinch in right around the spots where I would be finishing driver. 

"So it's frustrated me in a way that I feel like my biggest weapon is in some way neutralized here.

"And then I have to play the golf course like most of the other guys in the field."