McIlroy heads into the first of three FedExCup Playoffs 12th in the season-long standings, with only the top 50 after this week progressing to the BMW Championship and then the top 30 qualifying for the season-ending Tour Championship.
The back-to-back Masters champion skipped last year's FedEx St Jude Championship but is part of this year's 69-man field at TPC Southwind in Memphis, where world No 1 Scottie Scheffler and defending champion Justin Rose also feature.
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McIlroy has only played six events - and three outside of the majors - since successfully defending his Masters title in April, claiming tied-19th at the Truist Championship, tied-12th at The Memorial and a share of seventh at the Genesis Scottish Open.
But Brad Faxon, McIlroy's putting mentor, told the Sky Sports Golf Podcast that the 37-year-old has earned the right to cherry-pick his tournaments.
Faxon said: "After back-to-back Masters titles, he is like, 'not only financially can I afford to do this but mentally, too'.
"Rory is not physically tired after playing a round of golf but it is the mental fatigue of always being on, always in the spotlight, never getting a break. Whether it's walking into the gates or going to dinner at night, somebody is always coming up to you.
"I have never seen anybody more patient in that situation than Rory but for him to go to the Greek islands with some of his closest friends, that's a way to get away from the game.
"When Rory said to his daughter, 'Poppy, I need to go and practise. Her great quote was, 'you already know how to play, daddy'. Rory hasn't forgotten how to play and had a pretty good track record in the playoffs.
"In the brutal summer months that you get in the south, you are going to have to be in very good physical shape these next few weeks to contend for the FedExCup."
How do the FedExCup Playoffs work?
All season long, players have earned points based on how they have performed in PGA Tour events, with extra points available for the signature events and majors.
Only the top 70 in the standings have reached the FedEx St Jude Championship (August 13-16), with just the top 50 then progressing to the BMW Championship (August 20-23) and then only the top 30 making it to the finale, The Tour Championship (August 27-30).
Winners of the first two play-off events earn 750 points apiece - the same as The Players and the majors - before the points reset to zero ahead of the Tour Championship.
In the closing event, all players begin at even par with the starting-strokes model based on FedExCup placings at that point axed in 2025.
The winner of the Tour Championship becomes FedExCup champion for 2026, earning $10m (£7.4m) dollars and a five-year PGA Tour exemption.
What else is at stake?
Those who have qualified for the FedEx St Jude Championship are guaranteed to retain their PGA Tour card for 2027 and also clinch a spot at The Players, while the 50 to make the BMW Championship earn places in next term's signature events.
For the 30 who make it to the Tour Championship, they can look forward to a two-year PGA Tour exemption and teeing it up at the Masters at Augusta National. Spots in the US Open and Open are also set to come their way.
Why you should keep an eye on Koivun
After winning the 3M Open in just his third start as a pro after staying cool amid a charge from Scheffler, Jackson Koivin, 21, went on to wrap up a FedExCup Playoff spot after just five events, matching Tiger Woods' record.
Faxon added of the hot prospect, who he says would be great fit for USA at the away Ryder Cup in Ireland next September: "Koivun dominated college and he is the hardest working kid I have ever seen.
"He comes blessed with a great putting stroke and a great putting attitude.
"I spend a lot of my time at the Titleist Performance Institute, where you can do all the testing of your equipment. I first met Jackson there and talked about his game.
"Every single guy who did the club fitting and ball fitting, was saying, 'nobody is close to what this guy is doing'. We have seen how good he hits the iron as well so I am excited for him.
"I am a long-term believer in Jackson Koivun."
List of FedExCup champions
- 2025: Tommy Fleetwood
- 2024: Scottie Scheffler
- 2023: Viktor Hovland
- 2022: Rory McIlroy
- 2021: Patrick Cantlay
- 2020: Dustin Johnson
- 2019: Rory McIlroy
- 2018: Justin Rose
- 2017: Justin Thomas
- 2016: Rory McIlroy
- 2015: Jordan Spieth
- 2014: Billy Horschel
- 2013: Henrik Stenson
- 2012: Brandt Snedeker
- 2011: Bill Haas
- 2010: Jim Furyk
- 2009: Tiger Woods
- 2008: Vijay Singh
- 2007: Tiger Woods
The PGA Tour's FedExCup Playoffs begin on Thursday with the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Watch live on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event from 7pm or stream with no contract.
