Rory McIlroy returns to PGA Tour action this week at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis after four weeks away from golf. The 37-year-old Northern Irishman is aiming to win a record-extending fourth FedExCup title as the three-event Playoffs begin.
McIlroy, currently ranked 12th in the FedExCup standings, last teed up at The Open Championship in July, where he finished tied for seventh. His four-week break included holidays to Greece and Ibiza before returning to competition at TPC Southwind.
The two-time Masters champion has recorded a solid 2026 season on the PGA Tour, successfully defending his Green Jacket and finishing inside the top 10 in four of his 11 starts. He enters this week as one of 69 players in the field for the opening Playoff event.
Decision to play in Memphis
In 2025, McIlroy chose to skip the FedEx St. Jude Championship and took a four-week break following The Open before returning for the BMW Championship. This year, he explained that playing at TPC Southwind was important for his preparation.
"A few different things went into that decision," McIlroy said. "Having four weeks off going into the last two events of the year was probably going to be a little too much for me in terms of wanting to be competitive."
He explained that the event gives him an opportunity to evaluate his form while practicing in the heat. McIlroy also noted that he had held conversations with PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp over the past two weeks.
"Obviously, I want to play well, but it's also a good week to see where my game is, do a lot of practise, or as much as I can in the heat," McIlroy said. "I think it's important to be here. It's the FedExCup Playoffs. I think it's important for all the players to be here."
McIlroy has been open about his desire to reduce his tournament schedule, but emphasized the importance of supporting the Tour. "I've had some good conversations with Brian Rolapp over the last couple of weeks," he said. "It's important for me to be here and show support. I'm looking forward to teeing it up."
Playoff schedule and strategy
McIlroy approaches the postseason stretch by viewing the entire three-week sequence as a single tournament. Players face three consecutive weeks of competition across Memphis, St. Louis, and Atlanta in high summer temperatures.
"I almost try to view the Playoffs as one big, long tournament, like a 12-round event," McIlroy said. "You've got to pace yourself. It's three long weeks. We're going from here to St Louis to Atlanta. Every week is going to feel a bit like this. It's going to be hot and sweaty. So you want to be able to conserve energy as well."
McIlroy highlighted the importance of settling into a steady rhythm across the events. "I've always tried to treat it like one big, long golf tournament and get into the rhythm of it and go from there," he said. "I've been lucky enough to do pretty well on these things over the years. So I'll try to add another one to the list."
The FedExCup Playoffs launch Thursday with the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee, running from August 13-16. The series continues with the BMW Championship at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri, from August 20-23, followed by the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia, from August 27-30.
Upcoming tournaments and broadcast details
After completing the PGA Tour postseason, McIlroy will compete in Europe during September. He is scheduled to defend his Irish Open title before traveling to Wentworth for the BMW PGA Championship.
Live coverage of all four rounds of the FedEx St. Jude Championship will air on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event starting Thursday at 7 p.m. Fans can also stream the tournament live without a contract on NOW.
