Wednesday morning of the 2025 Players Championship, Rory McIlroy spoke to the gaggle of press members that gathered outside the media center in the flash area. It was cool — chilly, really — with dew still on the ground waiting to be swept by the early goers who aimed to put last-minute preparations together for the week ahead. Nothing that notable came out of McIlroy’s mouth unless you count a shot across the aisle at the … Champions Tour.
With time to spare following a mundane meet up with the future champion, I decided to walk up the 18th hole towards the merchandise tent to cash in on a $50 gift card that was burning a hole through my pocket. While on my journey, an elderly couple was making the same trek.
The woman asked her husband if McIlroy was in the field; he confirmed Rory was indeed playing.