Rory McIlroy punishment for breaking PGA Tour rules costs £2.4m

Rory McIlroy in a ‘good place’ for Masters bid after ‘breakthrough’ last year

Rory McIlroy’s punishment for missing last month’s RBC Heritage has been confirmed by PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, and it is a costly one for the four-time major champion. McIlroy is in action at the Wells Fargo Championship this week, one month on from his missed cut at the Masters.

The Northern Irishman had a week to forget at Augusta National as he failed to make the weekend, despite going into the event a well-backed favourite. Just days after his missed cut, it was then confirmed that McIlroy would miss the RBC Heritage the following week.

His decision to skip the tournament at Harbour Links proved to be a controversial decision, as it was the second elevated event he had missed of the season, breaking a golden PGA Tour rule. The punishment for the offence according to the rule book is the player losing 25 percent of the Player Impact Programme bonus.

For McIlroy this came in at a hefty £2.4 million ($3 million), having earned £9.5 million thanks to his off-course influence. Following the rule break it remained uncertain as to whether the sanction had been handed out, after both the Tour and McIlroy remained tight-lipped.

Following the Northern Irishman’s comeback in North Carolina, commissioner Monahan finally confirmed McIlroy’s fate. He said: “When we made the commitment to this schedule with the Player Impact Programme, we adjusted for one opt-out and for any second opt-out, you forfeit 25% unless there were some medical issues.

“When you’re in a situation like that, you just have to look at the criteria. In terms of any situation like that, we’re going to look at a situation and we’re going to make a decision.” Speaking for the first time since his withdrawal, the four-time major champion admitted he needed time away from competition to focus on his ‘mental and emotional well-being’.

“More for my mental and emotional well-being I needed to be at home for those few weeks.I think I’m in a better head space than I was. I needed a break for me. Obviously, after the disappointment of Augusta, and it’s been a pretty taxing 12 months mentally. 

“So it was nice to just try to disconnect and get away from it.” McIlroy went on to mark his return with a three-under-par 68 in the opening round of the Wells Fargo Championship to leave him well in contention with three days to go.

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