Rory McIlroy to focus on European Tour
Rory McIlroy says that he will focus his efforts on the European Tour next season rather than head Stateside for the PGA Tour.
The Northern Irishman, ranked as the ninth best player in the world, took out a membership in the PGA Tour for the first time last year and picked up his first title in the United States in May 2010, when
he won the Quail Hollow Championship by four strokes from Phil Mickelson.
Despite that success, the 21-year-old says that taking part in the successful Europe team at the Ryder Cup in October had helped him decide to play mostly in Europe in 2011, adding that he feels loneliness
can set in while playing in the US.
He told the BBC that: "There was camaraderie out there and I got to know the European guys better. If you're not playing well in the United States then it can be lonely, but over here you have your mates."
'I'll still play 11 or 12 tournaments in US'
“I found myself thinking during the play-offs for FedEx Cup, not wanting to be there. I switched on the Golf Channel and watched the event in Switzerland and felt I wanted to be there. I'll still play
11 or 12 tournaments (in the US), but not as a member.”
McIlroy added that wanting to be closer to his girlfriend Holly and his family in Ireland also played its part in his decision.
He said that: "Holly 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 has enjoyed his most successful season to date, with third-place finishes in The Open Championship and the PGA Championship following on the back of his maiden PGA Tour title.
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