McIlroy was one of the most prominent supporters of the PGA Tour in its battle with LIV Golf and spent part of the build-up to last year's Tour Championship getting changes to the Tour's schedule ratified in response to the threat posed by the Saudi-funded breakaway.

But with the PGA Tour announcing in June plans for a shock deal with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund – which bankrolls LIV – McIlroy has been able to take more of a back seat, especially with Tiger Woods recently joining the PGA Tour's policy board.

"Last year, I was probably energised by everything that was going on in the world of golf. I felt like we were maybe in a bit more of a state of flux," McIlroy said in his pre-event press conference in Atlanta on Wednesday.

"I sat up here at this table this day last year talking about designated events and getting all the best players to play together and all that stuff.

"I'm maybe less emotionally involved. Last year it was to do with how can we make the product of the PGA Tour better and I think I was really invested in that." - Rory McIlroy.

"I remember this time last year being on a board call at 7:30 in the morning on the Tuesday trying to get all that stuff ratified and get it passed through the board.

"I've been able to focus a little bit more just on golf and my game and even able to take two days at home between Chicago and here, getting to spend some time with the girls. That's been really nice.

"I'm maybe less emotionally involved. Last year it was to do with how can we make the product of the PGA Tour better and I think I was really invested in that.

"I'm on the board and I have to be involved and whenever something's brought to the table, I'll vote on it yes or no, but maybe just not as emotionally engaged on all of this other stuff."

McIlroy is the only three-time winner of the FedExCup after overturning a six-shot deficit in the final round of the Tour Championship last year.

As the player with the most FedExCup points from the regular season, world No.1 Scottie Scheffler again starts the Tour Championship on 10-under-par, with Viktor Hovland eight-under, McIlroy on seven-under and Masters champion Jon Rahm six-under.