G-Mac: I may quit US Tour

RORY McILROY could be without his close friend Graeme McDowell on the PGA Tour next season with the Portrush man confessing last night that he is not ruling out a return to Europe in 2012 to concentrate on making the Ryder Cup team.

McIlroy clawed his way onto the fringes of contention at Firestone Country Club when he birdied the last for a second successive 68 that left him just four shots behind pace-setters Adam Scott, Rickie Fowler, Ryan Moore and Keegan Bradley on four under par.

But after a second round 72 left McDowell 11 shots behind the leaders on three over, the 32-year-old revealed that he is keeping an open mind about whether or not to retain his PGA Tour membership next term.