Jack Nicklaus mentioned Tuesday that he was stunned Masters winner Rory McIlroy didn’t inform him prematurely that he was not taking part in on this week’s Nicklaus-hosted PGA Memorial match.
Nicklaus, an 18-time main winner, predicted McIlroy’s triumph final month at Augusta Nationwide after hitting his personal ceremonial opening tee shot.
Nicklaus mentioned he has not heard from McIlroy because the Northern Eire star captured his fifth main title and first Masters to finish a profession Grand Slam.
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McIlroy will miss the Memorial for the primary time since 2017, as an alternative taking part in subsequent week’s Canadian Open as his tune-up for the next week’s US Open at Oakmont.
“I didn’t have a dialog with him, no,” Nicklaus mentioned, calling that “a bit of bit” of a shock.
“It stunned me. However guys have gotten schedules and bought issues they do. And I haven’t talked to him for him to inform me why or why not. It’s simply his name,” Nicklaus mentioned.
“I made plenty of calls that I needed to make after I performed to play or not play… generally you need to make these calls.
“I don’t maintain something towards Rory for that. I do know he likes to play so many in a row. He likes to play the week earlier than a US Open. And in order that’s what he’s doing.
“I imply, I’m a giant Rory fan, I all the time have been. I’m certain that I’ll stay that manner. I simply, I used to be a bit of stunned, sure.”
Nicklaus mentioned he had no downside about McIlroy not giving him advance warning about his absence.
“I’m not going to throw Rory underneath the bus. I like Rory an excessive amount of,” mentioned Nicklaus. “He’s bought to make his personal calls on issues. May he have performed ‘em in another way? Most likely. However that’s all proper. I most likely might have performed a few of mine in another way too. So I’m not complaining about Rory.” Nicklaus mentioned he despatched McIlroy a congratulatory letter shortly after the Masters victory final month.
“I instructed him I don’t suppose anyone has received by having 4 double bogeys,” Nicklaus mentioned. “And I mentioned, ‘However that simply confirmed me how a lot expertise you need to overcome that to win and the way you performed some unbelievably spectacular photographs.
“I used to be very glad for him. It was an amazing win.”