Rory: America Can Have Its Tour!

Brian Keough on Rory McIlroy's abrupt reversal to not take his PGA Tour card in 2011 after his previous drawn out decision making process that led to an initial commitment.

“I found myself in America last year, especially in the FedEx Cup play-off series, just not wanting to be there,” McIlroy said in China where he finished fifth in the WGC-HSBC Champions.

“I started switching on the Golf Channel and watching the Omega European Masters in Switzerland and thinking to myself I would rather be there.

So much for getting into the playoff atmosphere.

“After a tough summer of golf I need a break after the US PGA. I had one week this year, and then I found myself back in the States to play three in a row.

“There is no flexibility in your schedule as the FedEx Series forces you into making those events. You shouldn’t just be going over to play in the FedEx Cup thinking about how much money you can make.”

What about the points permutations Rory? They're so very, very interesting!

He added: “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 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.”

Darn unspoiled Europeans!

James Corrigan tells us who, besides the FedEx Cup, is to blame for this:

McIlroy made his choice after taking advice from Westwood, who has consistently refused to chase the dollar. Just like the Englishman, McIlroy has been put off by the end-of-season play-offs which entail the PGA Tour pros playing up to four events in five weeks. The series does boast a collective purse of almost $70m, but that is evidently not enough to entice McIlroy. The boy has other priorities.