Failing to make the cut at Augusta was just the beginning of Rory McIlroy‘s woes. The Northern Irish star’s decision to withdraw from this week’s RBC Heritage will see him face financial ramifications. Since it is McIlroy’s second designated event missed, he has to cough up a massive seven-figure amount for his absence. He previously missed the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii in January 2023. Though Rory has been the voice of the PGA Tour in the battle against LIV Golf, fans believe he might reconsider his loyalties with the latest penalty.

The designated events have been among the many changes made in the American Tour to outclass the lucrative Tour. According to the term, 17 events in the PGA Tour season will have more prize money with an average of $20 million expected purses. While the change may have seemed promising for the Tour, McIlroy is paying the high price to avoid competing in the upcoming RBC Heritage.

Rory McIlroy set to lose millions from his PIP earnings

With big prize money also come stubborn regulations. According to elevated events guidelines, all top 20 players of the Player Impact Program are supposed to compete in the 17 tournaments. In a worst-case scenario, the golfers are allowed to miss only one event.

McIlroy, who finished in the runners-up spot behind Tiger Woods in the PIP rankings in 2022, missed the first elevated event of the year. The former world number one skipped the Sentry Tournament of Champions since he was preparing for the European Tour’s Dubai Desert Classic.

Now, as he missed the RBC Heritage, his 2023 PIP earnings will take a massive hit. According to Sports Illustrated, McIlroy will miss out on $3 million of his Player Impact Program payout for his absence from this week’s South Carolina tournament.

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Last year, after finishing at #2, Rory earned $12 million through PIP. Nonetheless, with another fine also expected to be imposed on the golfer, his PIP earnings for 2023 will also fall down to seven figures. With such a hefty price paid for missing a golf event, fans weren’t too pleased with the PGA Tour’s actions.

Rory McIlroy’s penalty leads to a huge blow in the golf world

Following the big revelation, golf fans on Twitter shared their reactions to the latest update. While most showed their support for the four-time Major winner, others chose humor and took a dig at the current situation.

One fan even claimed Rory McIlroy could be heading to LIV Golf.

Another one asked his fellow users to start a GoFundMe page for the $170 million valued Rory McIlroy.

Apart from the support and witty tweets, some even criticized the golfer for his absence from RBC Heritage. One fan mentioned how McIlroy is skipping the event to avoid answering the media questions regarding his five over-par Masters performance.

Though the former world number one is undergoing a rough patch in his career, fans are well aware of how tremendous McIlroy can be once he gets going. As his dreams of a Grand Slam were again tarnished at Augusta National, the Northern Irish star can perhaps surprise the world with a win at other upcoming Majors and regain his confidence.

What are your thoughts on PGA Tour’s penalty on Rory McIlroy? Let us know in the comment section below!

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