PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has confirmed that Rory McIlroy’s choice to not play the RBC Heritage after the Masters has price the Northern Irishman a whopping $3m.
McIlroy skipped the journey to Harbour City instantly after lacking the minimize at Augusta Nationwide, saying he wanted a break for his “psychological and emotional well-being” after such a disappointing Masters expertise.
It was a second designated occasion he’d missed this season although, which below the PGA Tour guidelines for the Participant Influence Program (PIP) means it is going to hit him within the pocket.
Gamers get 75% of their PIP cash in the beginning of the 12 months, however that ultimate 25% might be withheld if gamers miss two elevated occasions with none medical excuses.
McIlroy gave the impression to be holding out hope of being let off by Monahan, judging by his feedback forward of the Wells Fargo Championship this week at Quail Hole.
“I had my causes to not play Hilton Head,” McIlroy mentioned. “I expressed these to Jay, and whether or not he thinks that is sufficient to warrant … once more, I understood the results of that call earlier than I made it. So no matter occurs, occurs.”
Nonetheless, Monahan says that it is a fairly clear-cut case and confirmed that McIlroy would certainly be lacking out on that ultimate $3m fee.
“If I recall, he had a dialog with you guys yesterday,” Monahan mentioned of McIlroy. “He knew, as he mentioned, the results.
“So, to start with, gamers ought to be capable of decide to not play. I believe that is the fantastic thing about our mannequin. However he is aware of the results of that based mostly on that standards, and that is our place.”
With a reporter asking for clarification: “So the plan is to withhold $3 million, is that appropriate?”. Monahan’s response was definitive: “Right”.
He added: “Once we made the dedication to this schedule with the Participant Influence Program, we adjusted for one opt-out and for any second opt-out, you forfeit 25% until there have been some medical points.
“So based mostly on that standards it’s really pretty minimize and dry.”
The irony of McIlroy being the one to pay the worth of guidelines he partially had some assist in creating isn’t misplaced on many – though from subsequent season enjoying in designated occasions won’t be a part of the PIP standards.