Rory McIlroy reluctant to join PGA Tour after winning the US Open
The reigning US Open champion, Rory McIlroy has rejected the notion that he might be joining the PGA Tour in the near future. The young Irishman has won two events on the PGA Tour and is already on 'suit yourself' status to join the tour. After his stellar
victory at the Congressional, he now has a five-year exemption to join the tour at will.
“I don’t think I will join (the PGA) tour in the next few years anyway,” McIlroy said, according to show producer Paul Pabst on Twitter.
McIlroy joined the European Tour in 2007, the same year he turned professional. He finished third at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship to become the youngest player to win a tour card on the European Tour.
McIlory has shown his love for the European Tour time and again, and even once rejected Tiger Woods' invitation to play. He reiterated his commitment with the tour when he categorically rejected the idea that he will switch ranks among the tours.
“I’m never going to leave the European tour,” McIlory stated in a press conference afterwards.
The Irishman was invited to play in 2007 Target World Challenge, by Woods in his first year of professional career and what could have been a long lasting friendship with the icon himself, McIlroy declined to participate in the event because of the mere
fact that he wanted to play in the European Tour event.
The 22-year-old said on the matter, “I was thrilled that they would want to invite me considering I'm only just starting out on my career. That event clashes with the European Open and that's an event I would be stupid not to play.”
McIlroy posted his second professional victory at Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow in 2010, wining by a whopping final round 62, but did not take up the PGA Tour membership. He also did not participate at The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass
this year, which is often regarded as the fifth major by Americans.
McIlroy’s agent from the IMG disclosed some of the reservations the player has about the tour. Andrew Chandler, who manages McIlroy’s affairs with the company, said that PGA Tour will have to seriously review their requirement of 15 starts and participation
in FedEx Cup championship to be a member of the tour.
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