In an effort to reduce his overall workload on the season, Masters champion Rory McIlroy decided not to play in this week's St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee. As such, the first leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs will run with 69 of the top 70 players in the world -- McIlroy the lone missing piece from the start of the three-week postseason.

Tommy Fleetwood has been talking about the FedEx St. Jude Championship and Rory McIlroy’s choice to sit out this week’s event in Memphis. While Fleetwood is teeing it up at TPC Southwind, McIlroy was the only player among the 70 qualifiers who chose not to play in the opening event of the FedEx Cup Playoffs.

Rory McIlroy skips FedEx St Jude Championship, sparking reactions from PGA Tour stars like Jordan Spieth and officials.