World No. 2 Rory McIlroy will not play next week's Travelers Championship, a decision that could make it difficult for him to reach the PGA Tour's 15-event minimum this season.

The 37-year-old Irishman is not in the field for the June 25-28 event at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut. Tournament organizers confirmed his absence from the PGA Tour's final signature event of the year.

Bob Harig laid out the math on X.

"Rory is not in next week's Travelers Championship field, which will make getting to the 15 minimum interesting, especially if he also skips Memphis playoff event as he did last year," Harig wrote.

"U.S. Open is his ninth event. Scottish and Open would give him 11 and two playoff events 13. Needs two more to satisfy rules related to not needing releases to play his home tour, DP World Tour. "

McIlroy has skipped three signature events this year as he balances commitments between the PGA Tour and DP World Tour. No other player in the world's top 50 has missed this tournament according to GolfMagic.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and defending champion Keegan Bradley are expected to headline the Travelers Championship field, which will be finalized after the U.S. Open. The tournament is the eighth and final signature event of the PGA Tour season.

Andy Bessette, Travelers' executive vice president and chief administrative officer, praised the field in a news release.

"The caliber of PGA TOUR professionals committed to play in next week's Travelers Championship is a testament to what the event has become," he said.

"It's certainly a win for golf fans in New England."

The winner of the Travelers Championship will receive 700 FedExCup points and $3.6 million from the tournament's $20 million prize fund.

Meanwhile, McIlroy is competing at the U.S. Open this week, where he played well Friday.

Rory McIlroy is making his own move at the U.S. Open

McIlroy birdied the par-5 fifth hole on Friday at Shinnecock Hills, two-putting from 34 feet after his approach.

He birdied again at the eighth, sinking a 15-footer to reach 3 under.

The Irish professional nearly added a third birdie at the ninth, but his putt from inside six feet missed. McIlroy sat tied for second, four shots behind 2023 champion Wyndham Clark.

The U.S. Open posted the moment on X: "NO DOUBT ABOUT IT! Rory moving up the board."

Professional golfers Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele also moved into contention with morning rounds of 65 and 66.

McIlroy finished the second round with a 1-over 71 and was tied for 11th, comfortably above the cut line as he heads into the weekend.

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Pulkit Prabhav