The “Greatest Show on Grass” is back and is set to deliver all the excitement you expect from TPC Scottsdale, with rowdy crowds, thrilling golf, and some of the biggest names in the game. Major winners and Ryder Cup stars are ready to take on the challenge at the 2025 WM Phoenix Open, but there are also some notable absences in the 132-player field for this $9.2 million event.

After Rory McIlroy’s stunning win at Pebble Beach last week, and with the third $20 million Signature Event coming up at Torrey Pines next week, some players have decided to skip the WM Phoenix Open to focus on gearing up for the California showdown. The Northern Irishman too is one of them who will not be teeing off this week.

Rory McIlroy missed out on The Sentry as well, and he will be seen missing more such events. But why is it so? Well, for starters, the 4X Major Champion has been suffering a decade-long drought. His last major championship win was in 2014 at the PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky. Yes, he did come very close to ending the drought last year at the US Open but lost to Bryson DeChambeau by just one stroke.

So this year, he aims to focus on the bigger events instead of playing all of them. The 35 YO said, “I’ll play a similar schedule here (in the DP World Tour), and just shave off some events over in the States.” This suggests that he will play fewer PGA Tour events in 2025. With the Genesis Invitational, the third signature event on the Tour just a week away, he thought it would be better to practice his form, rather than be part of the field in Arizona.

Rory McIlroy last competed in the WM Phoenix Open in 2023, finishing in a tie for 32nd place. Before that, his only other appearance in the event was back in 2021, where he secured a tie for 13th. But well, the cutting down of tournaments is only one part of him missing the event this weekend. He also has commitments that he needs to fulfill.

Rory McIlroy just had a TGL match on Tuesday

Rory McIlroy is looking to secure his career Grand Slam in 2025 by winning The Masters at Augusta National and claiming the elusive fifth major. Apart from that, he has also established his league with Tiger Woods, where he made a debut on January 27. However, it did not turn out to be a great venture as Tiger Woods’s Team, Jupiter Links Golf Club defeated them by 4-3. His team once again went against the Los Angeles Golf Club on February 4, and once again, they failed to acquire the win.

His Boston Common Golf team lost to the LAGC, by a 2 to 6 score. This has once again put him under a lot of pressure, and his focus has also been shifted to grabbing a win in his league. Once the Genesis Invitational gets over on February 16, Rory McIlroy will have his third appearance at the SoFi Center, going up against The Bay Golf Club. Well, given how hectic his upcoming week is going to be, his stance of opting out from the WM Phoenix Open is only justified. What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments section below!