Rory McIlroy at risk of suspension ahead of The Open

Rory McIlroy could find himself at the centre of an awkward PGA Tour dilemma just weeks before The Open after edging closer to breaching a rule that previously led to one of golf's greatest players being suspended.

The two-time Masters champion has deliberately reduced his schedule in recent years, opting for extra practice and preparation ahead of golf's biggest events rather than playing a full complement of tournaments.

Yet that strategy may now leave the 37-year-old dangerously close to falling below the PGA Tour's minimum participation requirement.

McIlroy has featured in only nine PGA Tour events so far this season and is not expected to tee it up at either the 3M Open or the Wyndham Championship.

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Should he compete in both the Scottish Open and The Open at Royal Birkdale, his total would rise to 11 starts.

Adding the three FedEx Cup play-off events he contested last year would leave him on 14 appearances for the calendar year.

PGA Tour members are required to compete in at least 15 events annually in order to maintain their playing privileges, potentially placing officials in a difficult position should McIlroy fall short.

The situation has echoes of Seve Ballesteros' experience four decades ago.

The Spanish icon had played just nine events by a similar stage in 1985 and ultimately failed to meet the participation threshold, resulting in his PGA Tour membership being suspended for the following season.

McIlroy has made little secret of his desire to manage his workload more carefully.

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The Northern Irishman has increasingly prioritised the majors, believing a lighter schedule gives him the best opportunity to contend for golf's biggest prizes.

That approach paid dividends earlier this year when he captured a second Masters title.

It remains highly unlikely that McIlroy would actually be barred from competing next season and the PGA Tour may ultimately find a route to keep one of its biggest stars eligible.

However, doing so could raise questions about whether all players are being treated equally under the rules.

McIlroy's immediate focus will be on preparations for The Open, which returns to Royal Birkdale in three weeks' time.

The Northern Irishman has a mixed record when it comes to the fourth and final major of the year.

McIlroy previously won the crown in 2014 but has come up short ever since.

Scottie Scheffler will go into the event as the defending champion.

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