The FedEx Cup's first play-off event begins this week, but Rory McIlroy is the only player from a field of 70 who won't be taking to the course for the £15million event

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.