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When Hideki Matsuyama and Sungjae Im are your highest-ranked players at a professional golf tournament, you know something’s off. The Genesis Championship kicks off Thursday in South Korea with a field that, on paper, lacks the star power typically associated with the DP World Tour’s final regular season event. The reason? A trio of absences that changes everything about this week’s competitive landscape. The world’s top three players—Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Xander Schauffele—won’t be teeing it up at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club. Their collective absence leaves the $4 million event without its biggest drawing cards. Only two players ranked inside the world’s top 50 made the trip to Cheonan. That’s Hideki Matsuyama at No. 18 and Sungjae Im at No. 36. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad Scottie Scheffler leads the absentee list Scheffler sits atop the world rankings after another dominant season. The American claimed seven PGA Tour victories in 2024, including his second Masters title and a Players Championship win. He also captured Olympic gold in Paris. His FedEx Cup triumph capped off what many called a historic year. But the world No. 1 prioritizes PGA Tour signature events and majors over DP World Tour stops. His 2025 schedule reflects this approach. Scheffler earned approximately $29 million in official prize money last season. He’s built his calendar around maximizing performance at golf’s biggest stages. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad The tournament serves as the final event on the DP World Tour’s regular schedule before the playoffs. Yet Scheffler shows no signs of adjusting his strategy. His absence sends a clear message about which tournaments command his attention. Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports Rory McIlroy takes selective scheduling to new heights McIlroy recently wrapped up his most recent DP World Tour appearance at the India Championship. He finished T15 there in mid-October. However, he’s chosen not to travel to South Korea for this week’s event. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad The Northern Irishman has been vocal about trimming his schedule. At 35, he’s protecting his body for the long haul. McIlroy played approximately 22 events in 2024, alternating between PGA Tour signature events and select DP World Tour appearances. His major drought has continued for 11 years, despite consistent excellence elsewhere. McIlroy won twice on the PGA Tour last season and captured his sixth Race to Dubai title. Still, he’s increasingly choosy about where he competes. The Genesis Championship doesn’t fit his current priorities. Xander Schauffele’s injury concerns linger Schauffele’s 2025 season started with promise before taking a troubling turn. The two-time major champion dealt with a rib injury that surfaced in late 2024. The soft tissue strain forced him to withdraw from The American Express in January. He pushed through the pain at The Sentry, finishing T-30 at 17 under. However, the injury’s lingering effects have kept him sidelined from multiple events since then. Medical staff recently cleared him to practice again. However, Schauffele remains cautious about his return timeline. The world No. 3 won both the PGA Championship and The Open in 2024. His consistency throughout that season was remarkable—20 top-25 finishes without missing a cut in 22 starts. Now he’s focused on full recovery rather than forcing comebacks that could cause setbacks. The field’s composition reveals a harsh reality for the Genesis Championship. Beyond Matsuyama and Im, the tournament struggles to attract the elite of golf. Other top-10 ranked players like Justin Thomas (No. 7), Collin Morikawa (No. 9), and Viktor Hovland (No. 11) are also absent. LIV Golf players face a different barrier—Bryson DeChambeau (No. 23) and Jon Rahm can’t participate due to their commitments to the rival league and ongoing DP World Tour disputes. Defending champion Byeong Hun An returns to protect his title alongside veterans Adam Scott and Si Woo Kim. Players competing this week still chase meaningful goals, as the Race to Dubai standings determine who makes the playoffs. Securing spots in the top 70 remains crucial for tour cards and playing privileges. Yet the absence of Scheffler, McIlroy, and Schauffele underscores a growing divide. Top American players increasingly view the DP World Tour’s Asian swing as optional. The Genesis Championship feels the impact most directly.
