McIlroy turns his back on US PGA Tour for 2011
Source: Agencies |
November 10, 2010, Wednesday
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Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy will not join the US PGA Tour for 2011, saying he enjoys his time in Europe too much.
The 21-year-old told reporters in Singapore he no longer wanted to play the mandatory number of tournaments required in the US and joins world No. 1 Lee Westwood in rejecting the card to stay in Europe. PGA champion Martin Kaymer of Germany, who is No. 3 in the world, has also indicated he will not join the US tour next year.
"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," he said.
"I did that, but I also realized 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."
The world No. 9 was in Singapore on Monday for a corporate outing but was heading home to Ireland for a week's break rather than contest the Singapore Open starting tomorrow.
McIlroy's manager, Andrew Chandler, sought a meeting with US PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem on Sunday night straight after the HSBC Champions prize-giving ceremony in Shanghai.
McIlroy had been considering the decision since September, when he was watching TV coverage from the US of the Omega European Masters in Switzerland, an event he almost won in 2008.
"I found myself in America... especially in the FedEx Cup playoff series, just not wanting to be there, especially on the golf course.
"I switched on the Golf Channel and began watching the Omega European Masters in Switzerland and thinking to myself I would rather be there instead. It would be easier if I had a place in the States and that would definitely make it easier to play both Tours."
Meanwhile, Colin Montgomerie will remain captain for Europe's defense of the Royal Trophy matchplay contest against Asia early next year, organizers said yesterday.
The Scotsman, who led the Europeans to victory in this year's Ryder Cup against the United States, will resume his role as player-captain when the contest against Asia moves to the Thai beach town of Hua Hin in January.
Naomichi "Joe" Ozaki will captain Asia for the fourth successive edition. The fifth edition takes place from January 7-9, 2011.
The 21-year-old told reporters in Singapore he no longer wanted to play the mandatory number of tournaments required in the US and joins world No. 1 Lee Westwood in rejecting the card to stay in Europe. PGA champion Martin Kaymer of Germany, who is No. 3 in the world, has also indicated he will not join the US tour next year.
"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," he said.
"I did that, but I also realized 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."
The world No. 9 was in Singapore on Monday for a corporate outing but was heading home to Ireland for a week's break rather than contest the Singapore Open starting tomorrow.
McIlroy's manager, Andrew Chandler, sought a meeting with US PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem on Sunday night straight after the HSBC Champions prize-giving ceremony in Shanghai.
McIlroy had been considering the decision since September, when he was watching TV coverage from the US of the Omega European Masters in Switzerland, an event he almost won in 2008.
"I found myself in America... especially in the FedEx Cup playoff series, just not wanting to be there, especially on the golf course.
"I switched on the Golf Channel and began watching the Omega European Masters in Switzerland and thinking to myself I would rather be there instead. It would be easier if I had a place in the States and that would definitely make it easier to play both Tours."
Meanwhile, Colin Montgomerie will remain captain for Europe's defense of the Royal Trophy matchplay contest against Asia early next year, organizers said yesterday.
The Scotsman, who led the Europeans to victory in this year's Ryder Cup against the United States, will resume his role as player-captain when the contest against Asia moves to the Thai beach town of Hua Hin in January.
Naomichi "Joe" Ozaki will captain Asia for the fourth successive edition. The fifth edition takes place from January 7-9, 2011.
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