Report: PGA Tour member 'very concerned' Rory McIlroy able to skip first playoff event in Memphis

PGA Tour member Peter Malnati has confirmed plans are in the works to prevent players skipping playoff events in the future in light of Rory McIlroy's decision to miss this week's tournament. 

McIlroy will not play in the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis despite being eligible. 

Only the top 70 players in the standings qualified for this week's $20m event at TPC Southwind. 

The field will be trimmed to 50 for the BMW Championship before the top 30 head to East Lake for the season-ending Tour Championship. 

McIlroy is already assured of a tee time at the BMW Championship and, given his emotionally-draining season so far, has apparently decided to re-charge his batteries.

He has also previously placed on record that he's not a huge fan of TPC Southwind and has typically performed poorly there. 

Twelve months ago, McIlroy finished joint second last on nine-over par. 

His decision was also likely influenced by the fact the PGA Tour recently made the decision to change the format of the aforementioned Tour Championship. 

The North American circuit made the decision to ditch the starting strokes format and return to 72-hole stroke play where every competitor in the 30-man field starts on level par.

It followed years of criticism. 

Therefore, there is technically zero consequence for McIlroy this week. 

Malnati told Golfweek he was 'very concerned' with McIlroy's decision and, when asked if they will close the loophole to prevent this happening again, said: "I think there is stuff in the works and I'll leave it at that."

Malnati sits on the PGA Tour's policy board along with Patrick Cantlay, Adam Scott, Webb Simpson, Camilo Villegas and Tiger Woods. 

McIlroy previously served on the policy board, but resigned in an apparent huff over the lack of progress with talks between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf's financiers. 

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The 36-year-old was asked to return by ally Jimmy Dunne, only to be blocked by Woods and Jordan Spieth. 

Simpson expressed sympathy with McIlroy's choice, telling the publication: "I think it's too hard of a thing to make guys have to play. We're still a sport where you can play when you want to play."

He added: "I don't know Rory's reason but I totally get it. It's a hard to thing to fix."

McIlroy has not played a professional event since sharing seventh place at The Open Championship at Royal Portrush. 

He is likely to return at the BMW Championship, although there are no guarantees he will tee it up. 

His schedule before the Ryder Cup takes place in September includes a visit to The K Club for the Irish Open, as well Wentworth in Berkshire for the flagship BMW PGA Championship on the DP World Tour.

Later in the year, McIlroy will play in the inaugural DP World India Championship in Delhi. 

He's also scheduled to take part in the Australia Open at Royal Melbourne in December.