Rory McIlroy clears the air surrounding his new reduced schedule, explaining the decision

Rory McIlroy recently clarified his new reduced schedule, explaining that he would cut down on some events on the PGA Tour, while his schedule on the DP World Tour would remain similar.

McIlroy is in Dubai this week for the DP World Tour Championship, which begins on Thursday, November 14, at the Jumeirah Golf Estates Earth Course. This will be his seventh event on the European Tour and his 25th event overall this season. He recently mentioned plans to cut his schedule to 18–19 events.

On Wednesday, November 13, during the pre-event press conference for the DP World Tour Championship, McIlroy discussed his schedule for next season, mentioning that not much would change on the European Tour.

"I think it will look very similar going forward," he said. "Start in the Middle East in Dubai, and then I don't really play over here again until The Scottish Open. So you know, play that. That's a tournament that I've enjoyed playing the last few years, especially leading up to The Open Championship."

"And then once the season in America is done, then yeah, come back over. The way the schedule is, Irish Open, Wentworth, Dunhill, these two events. Yeah, it's going to look very similar," he added.

The 35-year-old golfer added that he would skip some PGA Tour events next season that he played this year but usually doesn’t play.

"Those are the ones that I would shave off," he concluded.

When will Rory McIlroy tee off at the DP World Tour Championship?

Rory McIlroy is grouped with Thriston Lawrence for the opening round of the DP World Tour Championship. The duo will tee off on Thursday from the first tee at 3:45 am ET.

The DP World Tour Championship will feature the top 50 players in the Race to Dubai standings competing for a purse of $10 million. Jon Rahm and Ludvig Aberg are the only two eligible players who have skipped the event for different reasons.

This is McIlroy's 14th start at the DP World Tour Championship, where he has won twice (2012 and 2015). Besides, he tied for second in 2014 and has achieved seven other top-10 finishes.

Here's a look at Rory McIlroy's performance at the DP World Tour Championship over the years:

2023: 22T
2022: 4
2021: 6T
2019: 4
2018: 20T
2016: 9T
2015: 1
2014: 2T
2013: 5T
2012: 1
2011: 11T
2010: 5
2009: 3