McIlroy hints at PGA Tour return

The United States could be seeing more of Rory McIlroy than they thought was going to be the case after his US Open victory.

After taking up PGA Tour membership last season, the 22-year-old Irishman missed home so much that he decided one year was enough.

But now he looks all set to rejoin, so much so that he is going to look at houses in Florida after next week's PGA Championship there.

Currently in Ohio for the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, his first event in the States since his first Major title in June, McIlroy said: "I spoke to a couple of the guys from the PGA Tour about it. I am leaning towards taking my card up again, definitely.

"I feel as if I play my best golf over here and I am very comfortable in this country."

Two of three professional wins so far have been in America, with the other coming in Dubai.

On top of that, he was deeply frustrated by the bad weather during last month's Open at Sandwich and, after finishing "only" 25th, doubted his ability ever to win in such conditions and said he was looking forward to returning to the States.

"I'm definitely looking at coming back and playing a full schedule here. I've thought about it and feel my game really suits playing courses over here," he said.

"I love Quail Hollow, Memorial, Akron. You play Match Play, Honda, Doral, Masters - you have your favourite events and most of my favourite events seem to be on this side of the pond.

"I'd like to give it a go again and last more than one year and see how it goes."

There is also his personal life to bear in mind. He broke up with Belfast student Holly Sweeney just before The Open and has been linked with Denmark's tennis world number one Caroline Wozniacki.

Asked about the media scrutiny he has been under on and off the course since winning in Washington, he said: "The person I am holding hands with, we are both in a position where there's a high level of scrutiny.

"It's just something you have to deal with. It's not something that is ever going to go away, or I hope it doesn't go away because it would mean I wasn't playing good golf.

"It's part of my career now."

When McIlroy decided to return to Europe last year he said: "I thought it was going to be easy, but it sort of took its toll.

"By the end of the PGA Tour season I was a bit jaded and just had to sit back and look at it and came to the conclusion that it just wasn't for me.

"But that's not to say that it won't be for me in the future."

His comments come as Tiger Woods prepares for his first tournament since mid-May after knee and Achilles tendon injuries.

Europe's stars have taken different views about the PGA Tour recently.

World number one Luke Donald, Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter, Padraig Harrington, Paul Casey, Justin Rose and Martin Laird are all members, but Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and McIlroy are not at the moment - nor is new Open champion Darren Clarke, who at 42 is not expected to take up membership.