Rory McIlroy prepares for the Memorial Tournament in Ohio, jokingly referring to himself as a "part-timer" due to his limited PGA Tour appearances this year. As the world No 2, McIlroy has opted for a more selective schedule, having played only five regular events in 2023, with just two tournaments since his The Masters victory in April.

Following a brief break after his tied-seventh finish at the PGA Championship, McIlroy returns to Muirfield Village, an event he skipped last year. He expressed, "I've been doing this a long time... I'll pick and choose my spots like I have been doing sort of the last 18 months to two years."

While acknowledging that this approach might hinder his chances in the FedEx Cup race, he values the balance it brings to his life. He stated, "I'm okay with that because it brings balance to my life and lets me enjoy things outside of the game."

McIlroy revealed his desire to win the Memorial and the Genesis Invitational, hosted by Tiger Woods, before his career concludes. He emphasized the significance of winning at Muirfield Village, especially given his long-standing relationship with Jack Nicklaus.

This week’s tournament is McIlroy's last before the US Open at Shinnecock Hills on June 18. He undertook a scouting mission to the course, expressing concerns about the green speeds, which he feels should not exceed a certain limit to prevent complications during play. "If they can keep them at that speed... I think it will be a great week," he concluded.