Rory McIlroy is slipping by one PGA rule.

On Friday, the PGA announced that the golfer will not need to play in at least 15 events thanks to the organization activating its “extenuating circumstances” clause, which the tour can use at its discretion. 

McIlroy has only played in nine events this season, leaving him at-risk of falling short of the 15-event threshold.

Right now, the golfer is scheduled to play in 13 events this season, two shy of the minimum. 

Punishment for not playing in 15 events usually ends in a one-year suspension.

It has happened twice in the history of the tour.

First, Seve Ballesteros was suspended in 1986, and then Martin Kaymer was suspended in 2016. 

“Notwithstanding the above, the Commissioner, upon application by a foreign member and for medical reasons or other extraordinary circumstances that the Commissioner, at his discretion, determines to be a valid reason for not playing in at least 15 PGA Tour cosponsored or approved tournaments, may reduce the 15-minimum (or 12-minimum as the case may be) tournament requirement,” the clause reads.

In March, McIlroy dealt with a lower back injury that forced him to miss the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He only appeared in The Players before the Masters in April, missing other several other events early on.

The clause is meant to protect players if they have a medical issue during the season. 

After finishing T-32 at Shinnecock Hills, McIlroy skipped the Travelers Championship this weekend, which is the eighth and final signature event of the 2026 season.

McIlroy will next compete in the Scottish Open, a PGA Tour event.