The real reason Rory McIlroy is not competing in The Sentry on PGA Tour

Rory McIlroy has chosen to skip this week's opening event of the 2024 PGA Tour season at The Sentry in Hawaii. 

The tournament, formerly known as The Sentry Tournament of Champions, marks the first of eight designated events on the PGA Tour in 2024.

But McIlroy, 34, is the only qualified player in the limited field to skip the PGA Tour's lid-lifter at famed Kapalua. 

With McIlroy bowing out, The Sentry now comprises 59 players. 

The reason for McIlroy's decision to skip The Sentry is fairly simple. He does not fancy Hawaii much, and instead wants to start out his season in more familiar surroundings over in Dubai on the DP World Tour.

Last summer, McIlroy told the media: 

The Northern Irishman last competed in The Sentry back in 2019 when he finished T4. 

McIlroy has instead decided to commence his 2024 season at Dubai Creek Resort for the inaugural Dubai Invitational next week. 

He will then travel down the road to Emirates Golf Club the following week and go in search of a record fourth win at the Dubai Desert Classic.

McIlroy's first PGA Tour event of 2024 has been confirmed as the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in early February. 

This week's Sentry tournament in Hawaii features a giant prize purse of $20m. 

With McIlroy not in the lineup this week, Scottie Scheffler and Viktor Hovland headline the betting market at odds of 6/1. 

Jon Rahm won the tournament last season when taking full advantage of a shocking final-round collapse from Collin Morikawa.

Rahm will not be able to defend his title this week, however, as he is now suspended on the circuit following his shock move to LIV Golf last month.

The Spaniard remains hopeful he will get to compete in several PGA Tour events this season but as it stands all PGA Tour members who have competed in LIV Golf League events are suspended until further notice. 

The PGA Tour's pending framework agreement deadline with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has failed to meet its Dec. 31, 2023 deadline.

News emerged last week that the deadline will now be extended until just before The Masters in early April. 

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