Rory McIlroy had to settle for the runner-up spot after missing out on the 2026 Genesis Invitational by just one stroke. But this near miss wasn’t enough to put him on the roster for the next PGA Tour event – the Cognizant Classic. 

“I feel like I've got a lot out of this West Coast Swing, last week at Pebble and then here,” the world number two told the media during the interview after finishing the final round at Genesis Invitational. 

“Have a week off to work on some things, even though I feel like my game's pretty much all there. Looking forward to Bay Hill and THE PLAYERS.”

So, the next time we'll get to see Rory McIlroy compete will be on March 5, at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

And after that, it’d be THE PLAYERS Championship on March 12. Collectively, he might earn 1450 FedEx Cup points. And missing out on the Cognizant Classic would keep him away from 500 FedEx Cup points and a $9.6 million purse. 

The Northern Irish golfer confirmed that his game is in “good shape.” And to improve his skills, he’s got a plan ready. 

“I'm looking forward to getting on some Bermuda greens over the next couple weeks,” McIlroy said of his plans. “But it's feeling good, it's feeling much better than it did in Dubai, which is a big step in the right direction. Just have to keep working.” 

But why isn’t he competing and improving at the next PGA Tour event?

Why Is Rory McIlroy Skipping the Cognizant Classic?

The answer is the Masters Tournament. The upcoming Augusta National will be McIlroy’s second visit to the major tournament after completing his grand slam. And, as Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis already stated, looking at his name on the Champions Locker excited McIlroy to defend his championship. 

Hence, in the coming weeks, he’s going to train to secure his position as the Masters champion. 

“I’ll probably get up there [San Antonio], I’ll probably walk around and watch the final round of the ANWA on Saturday,” McIlroy told the media at Riviera on 20 February. “I’ll be a part of the Drive, Chip & Putt in some way, which I’m really excited about, and then I get to go out there and play with most likely my dad.”

Can his focus on Bay Hill and THE PLAYERS Championship help him retain his title at Augusta National?

Read more at Daily Club Golf!

Written by

Krushna Pattnaik

Edited by

Joyita Das