Race to Dubai contender Rory McIlroy will take out a full US PGA Tour card next season but insists the move will not affect his commitment to Europe. The world number 17 confirmed the decision ahead of this week’s UBS Hong Kong Open.
McIlroy played 11 events on the US PGA Tour last season including all four majors and all three World Golf Championships events — he only needs to play a total of 15 to fulfil his new obligation.
“My decision is not that much of a big deal and besides, I am only adding a couple of more events, and besides the European Tour is still my home tour,” he said.
“So I don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea that I am just going away to America because that is not what I am planning.
“I just feel that I will become a better golfer if I also play in America. I will be playing in world-class fields with more world ranking points on offer, and the only way for me to get better is to play alongside better players.
“And on paper, at this moment, there are 16 better players than me in the world.”
Despite only winning his maiden title at February’s Dubai Desert Classic, the 20-year-old from Co Down is in contention for the Order of Merit in just his second full season and sits just behind leader Lee Westwood with two events remaining.
He participated in 16 additional tournaments this season on the European Tour ahead of Hong Kong and the season-ending event in Dubai, although that number will fall next year as he joins Padraig Harrington, Paul Casey and Ian Poulter in following a two-tour schedule.
McIlroy has indicated next year he will play in Abu Dhabi and Dubai at the start of the year before heading stateside to prepare for The Masters.
After the US Open he will return for the the BMW PGA Championship and the Scottish Open before The Open at St Andrews in July and the Irish Open at the start of August.
He will schedule additional events after the completion of the FedEx Cup series to maintain his 2010 Race to Dubai bid before the season-ending Dubai World Championship.
“I can’t thank the European Tour enough but I am just in a privileged position where I play wherever I want, and besides I earned enough money in US Tour events to get my card so I have taken out membership,” he added.
“I want to become a better player and the best way to develop my game is to be playing more in the States, and playing a worldwide schedule.”
