Rory McIlroy opened the FedEx St. Jude Championship with a solid two-under-par round on Thursday, but his day wasn’t over after finishing on the golf course. Despite the sweltering heat and humidity at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee, the four-time major champion skipped a well-deserved rest and instead opted for a game of tennis.
A photo surfaced on the PGA Tour Champions’ social media, showing McIlroy, 35, holding a pair of racquets alongside Wiley Barron, the son of Champions Tour major winner Doug Barron, at a nearby tennis center. McIlroy’s love for tennis is well-known. Earlier in the year, during the Olympics where he narrowly missed out on a medal, he and his wife, Erica Stoll, attended the French Open at Roland Garros. They watched Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz play doubles against Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek.
Reflecting on the experience, McIlroy shared, “I got to my first event last night watching Rafa and Carlos play doubles. I’d never seen Carlos play live before, which I was really excited about. Seeing Rafa was special too. The atmosphere was electric, especially when they began their comeback in the second set. It was amazing to witness.”
Although McIlroy didn’t speak to the media after his round of 68, which included an eagle, two bogeys, and two late birdies, putting him four shots behind leader Chris Kirk, he had previously discussed his hopes for the FedEx Cup Playoffs. McIlroy expressed a desire to “flip the script” on what has been a frustrating season, despite winning three tournaments in 2024, including two on the PGA Tour.
The season has had its highs and lows, particularly highlighted by his disappointment at the US Open in June, where he lost a two-shot lead in the final five holes, allowing Bryson DeChambeau to claim the title.
“I don’t want to downplay what I’ve achieved this year,” McIlroy acknowledged. “But I have high expectations for myself. Yes, I’ve won a couple of times, but I’ve also missed out on a few more wins that I felt were within reach. I would have liked to add a few more victories to my tally.
“But with three tournaments left in the PGA Tour season, and eight or nine more overall this year, there’s still a chance to turn a decent season into a great one. When most of the season is behind you and you have this three-week stretch to redefine what your year means, it’s a motivating factor. That’s part of why I think I’ve performed well in the playoffs over the last three years.”
McIlroy’s determination to close out the season on a high note remains as strong as ever, as he looks to turn his “okay” season into something special.