Rory McIlroy admits lost motivation for PGA Tour, reveals next start date

Rory McIlroy admitted on Sunday that his motivation for the PGA Tour has vanished as he limped to a tie for 40th at The Open Championship on 21 July 2025.

What happened at The Open?

McIlroy’s week at Royal Birkdale ended in scrappy fashion. The Northern Irishman’s long game and putting deserted him in the final round. He carded a one-over-par 71 on Sunday to finish tied 40th, well out of the medals. His body language spoke volumes: McIlroy looked unmotivated from the first tee to the last.

Why Rory McIlroy says he’s lost motivation

After his round, McIlroy told reporters he no longer cares as much about PGA Tour life. *“Yeah, that’s fair,”* he replied when asked if his enthusiasm has drained away. His reason? A mix of priorities and tour chaos. *“I think it just sort of ebbs and flows,”* he said. *“There’s been years I’ve given it more attention and years I haven’t.”* He also slammed the tour’s shifting schedule and FedExCup rules, calling them *“in flux.”*

McIlroy confirmed he won’t play before the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis. That decision, he said, was made last year and remains unchanged.

Will Rory McIlroy keep his PGA Tour card?

When asked if he’s been told he’ll retain his card without playing 15 events, McIlroy said *“No.”* The tour’s new minimum rules have left him in limbo. His next start remains the FedEx St. Jude Championship, though no date was given.

What’s next for Rory McIlroy?

McIlroy called this season *“very similar”* to 2024. He won the first major of the year, then faded. *“I haven’t really taken the time to enjoy that or celebrate it,”* he admitted. With his daughter Poppy off school until mid-August, he’ll spend the summer break with family. Then he’ll return to chase both the FedExCup and Race to Dubai top-30 spots.

The Northern Irishman still sits in both title races. *“As long as I’m in the top 30 going into the TOUR Championship, I’m in a decent spot,”* he said.