Rory McIlroy’s return to the FedExCup Playoffs exposed a game that wasn’t yet ready for the pressure of the postseason. The reigning Masters champion struggled to find his swing at TPC Southwind after nearly a month away from competition.
His disappointing week has put the spotlight on what he needs to fix before the BMW Championship. McIlroy isn’t hiding the problem, either. He knows he has to play much better if he wants a chance to win the trophy.
McIlroy struggled to find his rhythm
McIlroy opened the FedEx St. Jude Championship with a 4-over 74 at TPC Southwind in Memphis, leaving himself near the bottom of the leaderboard after the first round. The slow start came after he returned to the FedExCup Playoffs seeking competitive reps following a break from tournament golf.
His next three rounds did not significantly change his position. McIlroy followed with scores of 70, 72, and 72, finishing at 8 over par and tied for 66th in the 68-player field. The result placed him among the lowest finishers in the opening playoff event.
The scorecard told only part of the story. McIlroy said afterward that he felt “lost” with his swing and acknowledged that he had not prepared as much as he would have liked before returning to competition. He said he needed to work on his mechanics before the BMW Championship.
The four-week break became part of the story
McIlroy’s last tournament before Memphis was The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in July. He then spent roughly four weeks away from competitive golf before returning for the opening playoff event.
That gap helps explain why he wanted to play in Memphis. Before the tournament, McIlroy said he needed competitive golf and wanted to understand where his game stood rather than arrive at the final stages of the season without a recent tournament round.
However, the long break left his swing feeling rusty and out of rhythm. As a result, he finished near the bottom of the leaderboard and realized he had a lot of work to do.
His driving problems made the challenge harder
McIlroy’s driving has been one of the strongest parts of his game throughout his career, making his struggles from tee to green especially noticeable during the FedEx St. Jude Championship. He said his swing did not feel in sync during the week, and his inability to find consistent control made it difficult for him to attack TPC Southwind.
His final round provided a positive moment despite the disappointing result. McIlroy made five birdies over his final 10 holes, showing flashes of the scoring ability that has helped him compete at the highest level. However, the overall performance remained below his usual standard as he finished 66th at 8 over par.
Fun fact: McIlroy has won the FedExCup three times, in 2016, 2019, and 2022. His 2022 victory came after he entered the TOUR Championship behind Scottie Scheffler and overcame the deficit under the staggered-start format.
McIlroy knows the fix has to start with his swing
The biggest takeaway from Memphis was that McIlroy already identified the area he believes needs attention. After the FedEx St. Jude Championship, he said he needed to work on his swing and planned to spend time with his longtime coach, Michael Bannon, and caddie Harry Diamond before the BMW Championship.
That preparation gives the next tournament a clear purpose. McIlroy does not need to rebuild every part of his game, but he needs to regain confidence and consistency in his mechanics so he can trust his swing under tournament pressure.
The timing is important because the FedExCup Playoffs move quickly. The BMW Championship follows the opening playoff event, featuring the top 50 players in the standings competing at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis.
Why the poor week matters now
The timing makes this result more relevant than an ordinary bad finish. The playoffs are designed to create pressure immediately, and McIlroy entered them with a clear goal of sharpening his game before the season-ending push and a potential run at another FedExCup title.
His Memphis result, therefore, gives fans a useful baseline. He has already identified the swing as the main area requiring attention, and the next tournament should show whether the work produces better control from the tee through the green.
The BMW Championship gives him an immediate response
McIlroy enters the BMW Championship with his playoff position secure after advancing from the opening FedExCup Playoffs event. The PGA Tour’s official standings list him at No. 13 in the FedExCup standings, keeping him safely inside the 50-player field competing at Bellerive Country Club.
More importantly, the tournament gives him a quick opportunity to address the issues that arose in Memphis. With limited time between events, McIlroy and his team will focus on improving his swing mechanics and finding more consistency before the next playoff stage.
Bellerive’s setup will provide another test of where his game stands. If he can find a better rhythm from tee to green, he could quickly change the direction of his playoff run and build momentum heading toward the TOUR Championship.
Fun fact: McIlroy successfully defended his Masters title in April, becoming only the fourth player to win at Augusta National in consecutive years after Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods. The victory was also his sixth major championship and his 30th PGA Tour title.
What should fans watch in St. Louis?
The biggest question will be whether McIlroy can turn his practice work into a more reliable tee-to-green game. If the swing looks more comfortable early, the Memphis disappointment could quickly become a short-lived detour rather than the defining story of his playoffs.
McIlroy’s comments suggest he understands that the next step is work, not excuses. After a rough start that left him searching for rhythm, Bellerive offers the first real chance to show whether those adjustments are taking hold.
TL;DR
- Rory McIlroy struggled in the FedEx St. Jude Championship after nearly a month away from competitive golf.
- He finished 66th in the 68-player field after rounds of 74, 70, 72 and 72.
- McIlroy said he felt “lost” with his swing and planned to work further on his mechanics.
- He entered the BMW Championship 13th in the official FedExCup standings.
- His three FedExCup titles, won in 2016, 2019, and 2022, underline his strong playoff record.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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