McIlroy to skip first FedEx Cup playoff event

Rory McIlroy will sit out the upcoming Northern Trust, the first playoff event of the FedEx Cup. The tournament tees off Thursday in New Jersey.

McIlroy previously hinted at the possibility of passing up on the Northern Trust after he finished 50th at the PGA Championship.

"I need to assess where I'm at," McIlroy said, per ESPN's Bob Harig. "I think the best thing for me to do right now is just sort of take a couple of days off, reflect on what I need to do going forward.

"The best thing might be to take that first FedEx Cup week off and work on my game and come back, hopefully, in a better place for Boston (Dell Technologies Championship)."

McIlroy ranks 21st in the season-long points standings, and will look to claim his second career FedEx Cup after doing so in 2016.