McIlroy faces the music

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA | Two scenes, two principals, one answer.

On Tuesday night at The Puttery – an upscale, golf-themed night spot in this city’s vibrant South End district – Rory McIlroy made his first public comments since missing the cut at the Masters then skipping the RBC Heritage the week after, triggering a $3 million penalty for bypassing a second designated event, a program he helped create.

McIlroy says it was "an easy decision" to bypass the RBC Heritage the week after the Masters. Jason E. Miczek, USGA

Looking refreshed and sounding relaxed during a FedEx-related event, McIlroy was forthright, understanding what he sacrificed for himself at the end of a long, grinding run.

“I obviously knew the consequences that could come with missing one of those. It was an easy decision,” said McIlroy, who knew that not meeting the required number of starts in designated events meant not getting the final 25 percent of his $12 million payout from t...