When Hideki Matsuyama and Sungjae Im top the field at a major professional event, you can tell something’s unusual. The Genesis Championship begins Thursday in South Korea, but this year’s lineup looks thin for what’s usually the DP World Tour’s marquee regular-season finale. Three key absences have changed everything about the week’s competitive landscape.

The world’s top three players, Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Xander Schauffele, won’t be teeing it up at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club. Their collective absence leaves the $4 million event without its biggest drawing cards. Only two players ranked inside the world’s top 50 made the trip to Cheonan. That’s Hideki Matsuyama at No. 18 and Sungjae Im at No. 36.

Scottie Scheffler leads the absentee list

Scheffler sits atop the world rankings after a dominant 2024 season, but he won’t be at the Genesis Championship this week. The American’s seven PGA Tour victories last year, including his second Masters title, a Players Championship win, and Olympic gold, highlight just how significant his absence is. Even his FedEx Cup triumph underscores the kind of star power the tournament is missing.

But the world No. 1 prioritizes PGA Tour signature events and majors over DP World Tour stops. His 2025 schedule reflects this approach. Scheffler earned approximately $29 million in official prize money last season. He’s built his calendar around maximizing performance at golf’s biggest stages.

As the final stop on the DP World Tour’s regular schedule before the playoffs, the Genesis Championship usually draws the top stars. Scheffler’s decision to skip it highlights his focus on majors and signature events, sending a clear message about which tournaments matter most to him. McIlroy, meanwhile, is taking selective scheduling to new heights this season, following a similar strategy in choosing where and when to compete.

Rory McIlroy takes selective scheduling to new heights

McIlroy wrapped up his latest DP World Tour appearance at the India Championship, finishing T15 in mid-October. Yet he’s opted not to travel to South Korea for the Genesis Championship.

The Northern Irishman has been open about trimming his schedule. At 35, he’s protecting his body for the long haul, carefully balancing PGA Tour signature events with select DP World Tour appearances. Last season, he played around 22 events across both tours.

Despite consistent excellence, McIlroy’s major drought has stretched to 11 years. He still won twice on the PGA Tour last season and claimed his sixth Race to Dubai title. But increasingly, he’s choosy about where he competes. For him, the Genesis Championship simply doesn’t fit his current priorities.

Health and form remain top of mind for elite players, a concern that has put Xander Schauffele in the spotlight this week.

Xander Schauffele’s injury concerns linger

Schauffele’s 2025 season began with promise but quickly ran into trouble. A rib injury that emerged in late 2024 forced him to withdraw from The American Express in January. He pushed through at The Sentry, finishing T-30 at 17 under, but lingering pain kept him out of multiple events. Medical staff have now cleared him to practice, though Schauffele remains cautious about returning too quickly.

The world No. 3 comes off a remarkable 2024 season, with PGA Championship and Open victories and 20 top-25 finishes in 22 starts without missing a cut. Now, recovery takes priority over risking setbacks by rushing back.

The field at the Genesis Championship highlights the challenge of the Asian swing. Beyond Matsuyama and Im, many elite players are absent. Top-10 stars like Justin Thomas (No. 7), Collin Morikawa (No. 9), and Viktor Hovland (No. 11) won’t make the trip. LIV Golf stars such as Bryson DeChambeau (No. 23) and Jon Rahm are also missing due to league commitments and ongoing DP World Tour disputes.

Byeong Hun An returns to defend his title alongside veterans Adam Scott and Si Woo Kim. For many, the Race to Dubai standings still make the week meaningful, with top-70 placement crucial for retaining tour cards and privileges.

Yet the absence of Scheffler, McIlroy, and Schauffele underscores a growing divide. Top American players increasingly view the DP World Tour’s Asian swing as optional, and the Genesis Championship feels that impact most sharply.