In an effort to reduce his overall workload on the season, Masters champion Rory McIlroy decided not to play in this week's St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee. As such, the first leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs will run with 69 of the top 70 players in the world -- McIlroy the lone missing piece from the start of the three-week postseason.

McIlroy had said he wouldn’t be competing in the FedEx St. Jude Championship, so his absence is hardly cause for pearl-clutching. The surprise is that he’s the only eligible player who stayed home.

Rory McIlroy skips FedEx St Jude Championship, sparking reactions from PGA Tour stars like Jordan Spieth and officials.