Where do Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy stand as the betting favorites entering the second FedExCup playoff event?

Rory McIlroy has decided to not play in the St. Jude Championship, skipping the first round of the FedEx Cup Playoffs as he eyes a fourth Tour Championship and the eye-watering prize winnings

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.

Rory McIlroy is set to return to action this week at the BMW Championship - the second event in the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup play-offs.

Rory McIlroy was hot and tired when he finished the FedEx St. Jude Championship last year. He was No. 3 in the FedEx Cup. He beat only one player at the TPC Southwind and tied for 68th, finishing 26 shots behind. He dropped all the way to No. 5.

Webb Simpson has spoken out in defence of Rory McIlroy following the Northern Irishman's decision to skip the opening leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, standing firm on the principle that PGA Tour players should retain the freedom to manage their own schedules.