Unexpected Rory McIlroy PGA Tour schedule news breaks during U.S. Open

Rory McIlroy has decided to skip another signature event on the PGA Tour. 

Many of the world's best will head to TPC River Highlands next week for the Travelers Championship after the conclusion of the U.S. Open. 

But McIlroy has decided against making an appearance in Connecticut, a decision that means he has now skipped three of the bumper prize purse events in 2026

McIlroy, 37, didn't tee it up at the RBC Heritage after The Masters and also skipped the Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral in late April. 

World number one Scottie Scheffler headlines the field at the Travelers. 

McIlroy is the only player inside the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking who won't play. 

The Northern Irishman's absence is notable given PGA Tour chief executive, Brian Rolapp, is expected to reveal significant changes to the circuit's structure that will be rolled out from 2028. 

Rolapp has already outlined proposals to introduce a two-tier system, with players switching levels between 'Track 1' and 'Track 2' based on their performance. 

The former NFL executive, who was appointed in the role last June, wants as many as 20-24 'Track 1' events. 

It's understood the top tier will feature field sizes of at least 120 players, $20m purses and a 36-hole cut.

And it's assumed one of the biggest challenge he faces is getting the top stars to compete in as many 'Track 1' events as possible. 

In recent months, McIlroy has outlined his desires to reduce his playing schedule as much as possible as he edges towards the age of 40. 

At the beginning of the month, McIlroy explained that he will continue to pick and choose the events he plays on the PGA Tour's new-look schedule because it brings balance to his life. 

He joked that he has become a "part-timer" these days. 

"I've been doing this a long time," he said. "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 lets me enjoy things outside of the game."

He added: "I'll always look at the schedule at the start of the year and see what best fits me and my life, and everything else that I do with family or other opportunities that I'm pursuing outside of golf.

"The luxury of being a PGA Tour player is we're free to pick and choose our own schedule for the most part. 

"I took advantage of that this year and I'll continue to take advantage of that for as long as I can."

McIlroy's decision to skip the Travelers broke during the second round of the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. 

The two-time Masters champion is on level par after 36 holes, seven adrift of leader Wyndham Clark. 

McIlroy is attempting to win his first U.S. Open title in 15 years and claim a seventh major championship.  

There were concerns over how the course was going to be setup by USGA officials but McIlroy said he has been pleased by what he has seen so far.

"I think the setup has been good," he said. "I think that's more a reflection of the golf course rather than the setup. 

"I would say that the storyline over the first two days hasn't really been the setup. It's been the golf course.

"Yes, they've had to set it up in some ways quite benign because of at least the expected wind yesterday that materialised for some part but not all of the day.

"Then today was, I would say, a typical day here at Shinnecock where the wind was, you know, 15 to 20, gusting to 25 to 30. 

"But I would say less players in the weekend, starting a little bit later, you know, I think you'll start to see the golf course dry out a little bit and ramp up.

"But I didn't really think there was any, like, borderline pins. I thought they've done a good job so far over the first couple of days"

Asked if he was too far back to challenge Clark, McIlroy said: "I think Brooks was pretty far back going into the weekend in 2018. 

"So, yeah, if there's a course where you feel like you still have a chance if you're seven back going into the weekend like I am, it's definitely this one."