Rory McIlroy explains decision to skip PGA Tour event in favour of state dinner hosted by Trump
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
Rory Mcllroy attended a formal state dinner at the White House, where US President Donald Trump hosted Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- Rory McIlroy skipped a PGA Tour event to attend a formal White House state dinner with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
- He prioritised enjoying life's "perks," stating he couldn't commit 100% to golf, using the time to prepare for the PGA Championship.
- Following the break, McIlroy finished 19th at Quail Hollow; he has successfully taken similar breaks before major championships.
AI generated
LONDON - Rory McIlroy, eager to enjoy the perks that come with being a top golfer, said on May 12 he altered his competition schedule leading up to this week's PGA Championship in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, so he could attend a formal state dinner at the White House where US President Donald Trump hosted Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla.
The six-times major champion was tentatively planning to play the PGA Tour’s Signature Event at Trump National Doral in Miami two weeks ago, but decided against it given he was invited to the dinner taking place two days before the tournament began.
“To go down to Doral and then fly up to DC for that and then fly back down, it probably just wasn’t - if I wasn’t giving my 100 per cent attention to the tournament, then there’s no reason to play it, right,” McIlroy told reporters at Aronimink Golf Club, where the PGA Championship begins on May 14.
“So I decided to - I wanted to do the state dinner, and if I was going to do that, it was probably better that I take that week to practice and prepare, come up here and see the golf course, and then go into Quail Hollow feeling more ready to play.”
The Northern Irishman, in his only start since the Masters in early April, competed in last week’s Signature Event at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he finished in a share of 19th place, 10 shots behind PGA Tour rookie Kristoffer Reitan of Norway.
Taking time off ahead of a major is nothing new for McIlroy as the Northern Irishman opted for a three-week break from competition before successfully defending his Masters title at Augusta National to become the event’s fourth repeat winner.
McIlroy has since appeared in The Devil Wears Prada 2, with a cameo role alongside his wife.
“I know how fortunate I am and so lucky to be in this position in life, and sometimes you have to enjoy the perks because I know that this isn’t going to last forever,” said McIlroy.
“There’s going to be a day where I’m not sitting up here and I’m not competing for major championships and I’m not doing what I’m doing. So I guess while I’m doing it, I have to enjoy it, as well.” REUTERS
