Shock Rory McIlroy update comes to light via his official website
Rory McIlroy will compete in the PGA Tour's Zurich Classic of New Orleans team event for the first ever time.
Rory McIlroy will tee it up in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans team event for the first time in his PGA Tour career from 25-28 April, according to his official website.
McIlroy's decision to tee it up at TPC Louisiana means he will now be competing in three out of four weeks on the PGA Tour.
The 34-year-old will play in the Valero Texas Open from 4-7 April before heading into The Masters where he will bid to complete the career grand slam from 11-14 April.
McIlroy has typically always taken the week before The Masters off to best prepare for the season's first major.
But for 2024, McIlroy has decided to mix things up by getting some competitive reps in before attempting to slip on the famous green jacket for the first time.
Prize money for the 2024 Masters will be unveiled at the start of the week, but it's expected to be the same as last season's $18m where Jon Rahm won $3.24m.
McIlroy's confirmed April schedule
- 4-7: Valero Texas Open
- 11-14: The Masters
- 25-28: Zurich Classic of New Orleans
According to his official website, McIlroy has yet to confirm his participation in the PGA Tour's next Signature Event on the schedule at the RBC Heritage from 18-21 April.
It would be something of a shock if McIlroy did decide not to compete at Hilton Head with the tournament now having Signature Event status and the PGA Tour placing a huge demand on their top players competing in such events.
The RBC Heritage has a huge $20m prize purse, with the winner walking away with a cheque for $3.6m.
McIlroy broke a PGA Tour golden rule when he withdrew prior to the 2023 RBC Heritage.
But it later emerged McIlroy had withdrawn for his "emotional and mental well being."
| Rory McIlroy will play in the Zurich Classic tournament 25-28 April according to his official website.
Comment who you think will pair with Rory to take on this challenge.
Right guesses will get each $1 (PayPal), an RT and also a follow back from me -TR pic.twitter.com/L7GL29FWWJ— TRACKING RORY (@TrackingRory) March 23, 2024
The World No.2 is then scheduled to play in his first-ever Zurich Classic of New Orleans from 25-28 April.
The Zurich Classic of New Orleans is the sole team event on the PGA Tour schedule.
It did used to be an individual event but it transitioned into a team event from 2017.
Each team comprises of two players and the format is two rounds of fourballs and two rounds of foursomes.
Speculation is now mounting as to who McIlroy will choose to play alongside him at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
Ireland's Shane Lowry would appear a strong contender for the position at least among McIlroy fans on social media.
Rickie Fowler's name is also floating around as a possible partner for McIlroy.
No doubt a decision will be made soon.
Although McIlroy got his season off to a solid start with a successful title defence at the Dubai Desert Classic in January, he has somewhat struggled on the PGA Tour with just one top-20 finish (T19 at The Players) in five appearances on the circuit.
Is McIlroy making the right decision to play a tournament before The Masters? Will he complete the career grand slam at long last at Augusta? Who do you think McIlroy will choose to partner him at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans? Share your thoughts and comments over on the GolfMagic social media channels.
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