TLDR:
- Rory McIlroy will make his debut at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans alongside Shane Lowry.
- McIlroy aims to play more tournaments in 2024 to end his major drought.
World number two Rory McIlroy will make his debut at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans later this month. It will be the first time McIlroy has played in the team-based PGA Tour event. Unsurprisingly, McIlroy will take part in the tournament alongside his 2023 European Ryder Cup teammate Shane Lowry. McIlroy has made no secret of his desire to play more professional golf tournaments in 2024 to help in his bid to finally end his major drought. According to his official website, McIlroy will also play in the Valero Texas Open a week before attempting to win the grand slam at Augusta National. The Zurich Classic of New Orleans has been a two-man PGA Tour event since 2017. The news of McIlroy’s addition will be a welcome boost for tournament organisers.
At the time of writing, it is also unclear whether McIlroy will tee it up at the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links over 18-21 April. McIlroy was in the field last year but withdrew after his horrific showing at the 2023 Masters. McIlroy chose not to play Sentry Tournament of Champions last January and therefore his decision reportedly cost him $3,000,000 in PIP money. In other McIlroy news, the rules, format, and launch date of TGL has finally been confirmed. TGL was supposed to launch in January but was pushed back a year after storm damage to its Florida facility.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan later said he had discretion over such matters. Rory McIlroy believes Greg Norman has done Saudi PIF governor “a disservice.”