"I’m in a Different Position": Rory McIlroy Defends Recent PGA Tour Decision originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The BMW Championship begins Thursday at Caves Valley in Owings Mills, Maryland, where the top 50 in the FedExCup standings will play for 30 Tour Championship spots.

Back in action at the BMW Championship, the second of the three FedEx Cup Playoffs, Rory McIlroy once again delivered at his press conference this Wednesday in Caves Valley, Maryland

One day before teeing at the BMW Championship, Rory McIlroy addressed the controversy around skipping the first leg of the FedEx Cup playoffs.

Citing the current playoff structure and his busy late-season schedule, Rory McIlroy on Wednesday defended his decision to skip last week’s playoff opener at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.

Rory McIlroy returned to action for the first time since his Royal Portrush Open homecoming at the BMW Championship in Maryland this week – and although he didn’t reign supreme, the Northern Irishman still walked away with a healthy paycheque.

On Wednesday at the PGA Championship, McIlroy was asked if he remembered how he spent that first paycheck, which prompted a rather sheepish admission from the five-time major champion. Watch it and wince. RELATED: Ohio golfer wins $150,000 Powerball prize with lotto ticket purchased on golf trip

Rory McIlroy behaved in a truly sporting manner during the final round of the Scottish Open, and the eventual winner was very impressed.

The opening round of the 2025 FedEx Cup playoffs began this week at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis, and all but one player in the top 70 in

"It can't be said that this was a bad round for him, but it is clear that a golfer of his quality can do much more.."