Rory McIlroy set for first PGA Tour start since forfeiting $3m

Rory McIlroy is set to play his first professional golf tournament since his miserable Masters performance. 

McIlroy, 33, has confirmed his intentions to play the forthcoming Wells Fargo Championship, which has been given designated status by the PGA Tour in 2023. 

That means there will be a bumper prize purse at Quail Hollow Club. McIlroy won this tournament in May 2021, defeating Abraham Ancer by one stroke. 

You might remember McIlroy overcame a final hole scare when he won that title after his caddie Harry Diamond wisely convinced the Ulsterman into taking a penalty drop from a dangerous lie. 

Will Brooks Koepka complete the career grand slam before Rory McIlroy?

— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) April 7, 2023

McIlroy eventually two-putted for bogey to capture what was then his first victory in 18 months when he least expected it. 

The Northern Irishman has won the Wells Fargo Championship three times in his career.

He now has 23 PGA Tour wins and was hoping to add another at the 87th Masters but instead missed the cut at Augusta National for the third time in his career. 

His below-par performance apparently prompted his decision to withdraw from the RBC Heritage, another designated event, a week later. 

It was a decision that cost McIlroy millions of dollars in player impact program prize money - a social media popularity contest created by the PGA Tour in an attempt to prevent their biggest stars jumping to LIV Golf. 

His peers demanded answers from PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan. 

Elsewhere, Hideki Matsuyama will also miss the Wells Fargo Championship. The 31-year-old confirmed a neck injury continues to prevent him from competing. 

Jon Rahm is also skipping the next event. Scottie Scheffler is in, along with Jordan Spieth. Max Homa is the defending champion. 

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