Rory to play Irish Open despite US move

RORY MCILROY will contest next year’s Irish Open despite confirming yesterday he has joined the U.S. Tour.

McIlroy will contest the first of eight events in succession in the States starting in March with the WGC–Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona.

However, McIlroy’s widely anticipated decision means he will play just two additional U.S. Tour events compared to this past season – the Quail Hollow Championship and the Jack Nicklaus hosted Memorial.