Rory McIlroy was asked if his selective schedule makes him a ‘part-timer’ who needs extra work to stay sharp. He brushed off that tag with a brief answer that left no room for doubt.

Rory McIlroy spoke to reporters on Wednesday, July 8, before the 2026 Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick, Scotland.

A reporter brought up the part-timer joke and asked whether McIlroy finds himself needing extra work to get up to speed between starts. McIlroy turned it back immediately.

"What do you think I do in my off-weeks?" he said in the press conference posted by TenGolf on YouTube.

The reporter pushed, suggesting it seems to come easy, that he doesn't work that hard. McIlroy kept it two words. "No, I work hard." A follow-up asked if he felt rusty. The answer was one word. "No."

The Masters champion and world No. 2 is playing in this week's tournament with Robert MacIntyre and defending champion Chris Gotterup.

The "part-time" label is based on the numbers. According to Golf.com, Rory McIlroy has played only nine PGA Tour events in 2026 before the Genesis Scottish Open, including the first three majors.

That means he has played just six regular PGA Tour events outside the majors. During the same period, Scottie Scheffler has played 11 regular PGA Tour events.

The gap reflects schedule strategy, not a reduction in preparation. McIlroy has three top‑5 finishes at The Open, and Royal Birkdale offers another chance to prove his selective schedule pays off.

McIlroy based himself at Wentworth after the PGA Championship in May, made a scouting trip to Royal Birkdale, and played St Enodoc in Cornwall the Friday before arriving in Scotland.

He spent four days in Cornwall with the Donalds and the Lawries. Nick Faldo joined him for part of the Birkdale visit and posted about it before McIlroy could keep it quiet.

The Genesis Scottish Open has a prize fund of $9 million and is co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour and DP World Tour. Rory McIlroy won the tournament in 2023.

Last year, he finished tied for second behind Chris Gotterup. The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale will be played next week.

Rory McIlroy’s Broader Vision for National Opens

The part-timer exchange was the sharpest moment. The press conference ranged much wider.

McIlroy argued the Genesis Scottish Open is the model for what strong National Opens can become under the PGA Tour's 2028 restructuring. He suggested the Canadian Open could pursue similar co-sanctioning.

His concern was that directly restricting these events to Championship Series players would strip them of their identity. National Opens, in his view, need to be treated differently from standard Tour events.

He also made the Wimbledon Royal Box visit last week alongside Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, the first time he'd worn his Masters green jacket since Augusta. He said, "If you can't wear it there, where can you wear it?" per DP World Tour.

Jon Rahm's presence in the field this week drew a positive response. McIlroy said having Rahm at the Scottish Open is better for the event than not having him there.

Do you think McIlroy's selective schedule makes him more or less effective at majors? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Koushik Biswas