GOLF: BRIDGESTONE INVITATIONALEXECUTIVES AT PGA Tour headquarters were believed to be doing somersaults last night, not about the return of Tiger Woods after three months on the sidelines, but in Rory McIlroy's intention to rejoin the circuit next season.

The 22-year-old US Open champion gave up his US Tour card at the end of last year, saying he missed his girlfriend at home in Belfast and felt the demands of the FedEx Cup series made it too much of a strain to play on both sides of the pond.

Fast-forward eight months and all has changed in the world of the world number five. He broke up with childhood sweetheart Holly Sweeney the week before the British Open and is now believed to be involved with the Danish tennis world number one Caroline Wozniacki.

As US Open champion he has become the target of paparazzi in his native Northern Ireland and farther afield, and, combined with his belief that the US Tour is better suited to his game, he’s already looking at property in Florida.

Add to that the PGA Tour’s current renegotiations with the networks of a TV deal that’s set to run out at the end of next year and it’s a huge boost to an American circuit that suffered badly since Woods recent decline.

“I spoke to a couple of the guys from the PGA Tour today about it, and I’m leaning towards taking my card up again, definitely,” McIlroy said. “I feel as if I play my best golf over here. I’m very comfortable in this country.

“I’m going to look at a few houses down in Florida after the (US) PGA. I might go and stay with G-Mac (Graeme McDowell) for a night at Lake Nona and see what that’s like, and then down in West Palm Beach and Jupiter, around there.

“I’m definitely looking towards coming back and playing a full schedule over here.”

Asked if the changes in his personal life at home had been a factor, McIlroy said: “Maybe a little bit.”

He added: “Things have changed a bit over the past month or two and I just want to try and play a bit more over here and not be tied to one place.

“Belfast is always going to be my home, but at least when I play in the Middle East at the start of the year I can come over to the States and stay for two or three months until after the Players.

“There is a bit of attention on me now after winning the US Open and everything, but it’s a great position to be in and I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Sources at McIlroy’s management company, ISM, said: “It had a little bit to do with Holly and getting away from the pressure of being a superstar in Northern Ireland. His game is more suited to the States as well.”

McIlroy complained about the weather at the British Open last month and said he couldn’t wait to play in sunny conditions in the US.

“I feel as if my game really suits playing courses over here. I love Quail Hollow, Memorial, Akron.

“You play (the) Matchplay, Honda, Doral, Masters. You have your favourite events, and most of my favourite events seem to be on this side of the pond and my game suits it over here. I’m very comfortable over here.

“I’d like to give it a go again, and obviously last more than one year and really see how it goes.”

McIlroy’s return to the US would be a massive boost to the PGA Tour as it prepares to renegotiate its TV deal.

While he could face restrictions for giving up his card after just one year at the end of last term, the US Tour is unlikely to make life difficult for a player who is now almost certain to reverse his stance on playing in its flagship Players Championship in May.

Commenting on McIlroy’s likely return to the fold, PGA Tour chief of operations Andy Padzer said: “We would be excited if it happens. He is a huge asset and an immense talent.”

As for his new romance, McIlroy did not confirm he was seeing Wozniacki, but said the person was high-profile and that media scrutiny is something they will just have to live with.

“I think the person that I’m holding hands with, we’re both in a position where there’s a high level of scrutiny and it’s just something that you have to deal with.

“It’s not something that’s ever going to go away, or I hope it doesn’t go away because it means that I won’t be playing good golf.

“It’s going to be part of my career now.”

Padzer added that McIlroy must inform the tour of his decision on rejoining by November 22nd.

“He is a member in good standing and would be obligated to play 15 tournaments or more in 2012.”

McIlroy said he would have to change his schedule slightly by adding more American events, but would never give up playing in the Irish Open.

The Lowdown

Event:WGC Bridgestone Invitational.

Course: Firestone CC, South Course, Akron, Ohio.

Par: 70. Yards: 7,400.

Format: Four-day, no-cut, 72-hole strokeplay competition.

Field: 76 players, from 17 countries.

Purse: €5.95 million ($8.5m), with €980,420 to the winner. Last place is worth €25,210.

Defending champion: Hunter Mahan.

Tiger Woods will be looking for his eighth victory.

Irish power: Darren Clarke, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell have won three of the last five majors, while Pádraig Harrington has won three on his own. This will be the first time all four will tee it up on US soil as major winners. Clarke is one of just five players to have won multiple World Golf Championships. The others are Woods, Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson and Geoff Ogilvy.

On TV: Sky Sports 1, 7pm-11pm.