Major Rory McIlroy News Draws Attention Ahead of RBC Canadian Open

PGA Tour star Rory McIlroy has faced significant backlash this week after making a somewhat last-minute decision to withdraw from golf legend Jack Nicklaus' annual Memorial Tournament, which is currently heading into its final round on Sunday with many of the sport’s top players competing.

The criticism surrounding McIlroy stems from the fact that he avoided the media for four days at the PGA Championship and then reportedly did not inform Nicklaus directly of his decision to withdraw. While Nicklaus made it clear that McIlroy doesn't owe him anything, he admitted he was surprised by the move.

“I’m not throwing Rory under the bus,” Nicklaus said. “I like Rory too much. He’s a good kid. He’s played some great golf. He’s had a lot of things happen to him. He’s got to make his own call on things. Could he have done them differently? Probably. But that’s all right—I could probably have done some of mine differently, too. I’m not complaining about Rory.”

He continued, “I haven’t talked to him for him to tell me why or why not. It’s just his call. I made a lot of calls when I played—whether to play or not play—and sometimes they weren’t popular. But sometimes you have to make those calls. I don’t hold anything against Rory for that.

“I’m a big Rory fan. I always have been. I’m sure I’ll remain that way. I was just … a little surprised, yes.”