Jack Nicklaus 'A Little' Surprised Rory McIlroy Won't Play in 2025 Memorial

Jack Nicklaus serves as the host of the PGA Tour's Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, and the golfing legend explained he was "a little surprised" that Rory McIlroy is skipping the event this year for the first time since 2017.

"I'm a big Rory fan. I always have been. I'm sure that I will remain that way," he said, per Doug Ferguson of the Associated Press. "I just ... I was a little surprised, yes."

While Nicklaus gave McIlroy advice ahead of the latter's Masters victory this year, he said they haven't spoken since the 36-year-old completed the career Grand Slam.

"I am not throwing Rory under the bus," Nicklaus said. "I like Rory too much. He's a good kid. He's played some great golf. He's had a lot of things that have happened to him. He's got to make his own call on things. Could he have done them differently? Probably. But that's all right. I could probably have done some of mine differently, too."

McIlroy's absence means he will miss three signature events this year after he previously skipped The Sentry and the RBC Heritage.

Nicklaus and others may be surprised that he won't participate in the Memorial, but it likely comes down to a matter of timing. After all, he traditionally plays the RBC Canadian Open—which is next week—and is likely to appear at the Travelers Championship as well.

With the U.S. Open sandwiched in between the Canadian Open and Travelers, playing in the Memorial would have meant four weeks of competitions in a row. And he surely wants to be as fresh as possible for the U.S. Open as he looks to add another major championship to his 2025 list of accomplishments.

"I really don't know why Rory didn't talk to me," Nicklaus said. "I can't answer that question. There's nothing I can answer. I know he has to make a schedule that works for him and what he has to do. And I understand, because I had to do the same thing.

"We just weren't included this year."

Fortunately for Nicklaus and the golf fans who will be tuning in to watch this year's Memorial, there is still plenty of star power even with McIlroy missing.

Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Ludvig Åberg, Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry, Hideki Matsuyama, Patrick Cantlay, Tony Finau, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Rickie Fowler and Max Homa are among those in the field.

There will even be some star power during Wednesday's pro-am, which will feature Stephen Curry, Peyton Manning, Larry Fitzgerald, Michelle Wie West and others.