McIlroy faces Irish Open dilemma

RORY McILROY is now facing a serious 2012 scheduling dilemma with the official release of next year’s PGA Tour schedule.

The Irish Open is to take place from June 28 to July 1 on the same week as the PGA Tour’s AT&T National. After being staged this year in Pennsylvania, the 2012 AT&T National is returning to the Congressional course in Maryland and where McIlroy captured this year’s US Open.

So while McIlroy will be seriously tempted to compete in the US that week he is going to find himself the brunt of complaint if he doesn’t support the Irish Open. Next year’s PGA Tour will boast 45 official money tournaments, the same number and configuration as 2011 with 37 during the regular season, four PGA Tour Playoffs for the FedEx Cup tournaments and the four-tournament Fall Series.