McIlroy quitting US for Europe

Rory McIlroy is set to quit the US PGA Tour next year and instead return to the European circuit.
Rory McIlroy, the World No 9, is set to quit the US PGA Tour next year and instead return to the European circuit.
The 21-year-old Northern Irishman opted to take out a full US PGA Tour card 12 months ago and then clinched his first victory in the US with a closing 62 at the Quail Hollow Championship in May.
But McIlroy, who has finished third in the last two majors and played a starring role on his Ryder Cup debut at Celtic Manor last month, missed home and has decided to focus predominantly on Europe next year.
Quoted in several newspapers, he said: “I switched on the Golf Channel one morning when I was in the States and began watching the Omega European Masters in Switzerland and thinking to myself ‘I would rather be there instead’.
“If you’re not playing well in the States it can be a lonely place. But if you’re not playing well on the European Tour you still have plenty of mates to hang out with.
“Holly [girlfriend] also has another two years at university and we have two dogs, a nice house and I love my life back in Ireland. I don’t ever want to give that up.”
McIlroy made his mind up after speaking to new world number one Lee Westwood, and informed US Tour commissioner Tim Finchem in Shanghai on Sunday.
“The FedEx Cup is only about money and you shouldn’t just be going over to play thinking about how much you can make,” said McIlroy.
“I needed a break after the US PGA [in August], but had only one week. There is no flexibility in your schedule as the FedEx forces you to appear at those events. I didn’t like that.”
Latest
-
LPGA Tour
Rose Zhang claims title in play-off on professional debut
Win is first on LPGA Tour on pro debut since Beverly Hanson in 1951.
-
News
Viktor Hovland edges out Denny McCarthy in play-off to win Memorial Tournament
Rory McIlory had to settle for a tie for seventh.
-
European Tour
Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin wins first DP World Tour title after fine finish
The 20-year-old finished two shots clear at the Porsche European Open in Hamburg.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy soars to lead on third day of Ohio Memorial
The Northern Irishman finished tied with two other players on six under par.
-
European Tour
David Law tames the Green Monster course to move into contention in Hamburg
The Scot fired an eagle and eight birdies in a seven-under-par 66, a nine-shot improvement on his opening 75.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy bounces back to form in the Memorial Tournament
At four under par McIlroy was three shots off the early clubhouse lead.
-
PGA Tour
Matt Wallace one stroke behind lead after first day of PGA Memorial in Ohio
Matt Wallace and Danny Willett are sitting second and equal-third respectively after the first day of the Memorial.
-
Ryder Cup
I don’t think LIV golfers should be on European Ryder Cup team – Rory McIlroy
American players remain eligible despite being banned or resigning from the PGA Tour in the wake of joining the Saudi-funded circuit.
-
European Tour
Brendan Lawlor and Kim Moore excited for next week’s Scandinavian Mixed event
The pair won the men’s and women’s titles at the G4D Open at Woburn earlier this month.
-
PGA Tour
Emiliano Grillo claims second PGA tour title in Texas
It was Emiliano Grillo’s first PGA Tour win in over seven years.