McIlroy's Euro Tour boost
McIlroy met with US Tour Commissioner, Tim Finchem last Sunday night in Shanghai to break the news he was turning his back after just one season competing Stateside, The 21-year old, and current World No 9 now joins World No 1, Lee Westwood and No 3, Martin Kaymer by electing to compete principally in Europe.
Now with the likes of McIlroy, Westwood and Kaymer turning their backs US Tour membership, and also with the Ryder Cup back in the trophy cabinet at Wentworth, the European Tour can lay claim to the strongest Tour in world golf.
McIlroy cited boredom and missing the comforts of home for his decision.
“I found myself in America last year, especially in the FedEx Cup play-off series, just not wanting to be there, especially on the golf course,” said McIlroy.
“I switched on the Golf Channel one morning when I was in the States and began watching the Omega European Masters in Switzerland and thinking to myself I would rather be there instead.
“Sometimes you feel as though you have to be in America just to play the mandatory 15, and at the start of this year, that was something I really wanted to do. I did that but I also realised it wasn’t for me but then it doesn’t mean to say that I don’t want to play full time in the States again.
“It would be easier if I had a place in the States and that would definitely make it easier to play both Tours.
“Besides with the Majors and the WGCs, plus a few other events such as my defence of the Wells Fargo Championship I will still play 11 or 12 there next year, and I will be happy with that.”
It was only a year ago this week that McIlroy announced an intention to compete full time in the States.
But also bringing forward McIlroy’s move back to Europe full time was a recent Tour directive to increase the number of events to retain automatic membership to 13 from next season.
“I had made my mind up before the new decision you have to play 13 but that does make it more difficult,” he said.
“But as I mentioned, I don’t have a base in the States and besides I enjoy my time too much back at home.
“Holly (Sweeney – girlfriend) also has another two years at Uni’ and we have two dogs, a nice house and I love my life back in Ireland, back in Europe and I don’t want ever to give that up.
“But if I keep playing the way I have been playing, I will get all the invitations I need. Also after playing in the Ryder Cup, I got a great sense of the camaraderie out there, and I got to know many of the European guys a lot better.
“The thing is that if you are playing well in the States it’s a great place to be but if you’re not it can be a lonely place “Whereas if you are not playing well on the European Tour you still have plenty of mates to hang out with.”
McIlroy was in Singapore Monday for a corporate outing but was headed home to Ireland for a week’s break rather than contest Thursday’s starting co-sanctioned Barclays Singapore Open.
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