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Rory confirms US Tour move
Starlet insists he is still fully committed to European Tour
Last updated: 12th November 2009 
Rory McIlroy has announced that he is to take out a full PGA Tour card next season, but insists that Europe will remain his 'home' tour.
There had been some confusion about McIlroy's plans with mixed messages coming out of his camp as regards whether he would assume full membership to play Stateside.
But ahead of this week's Hong Kong Open - the penultimate event in the inaugural Race to Dubai - the Northern Irish starlet confirmed the decision, but was quick to point out that it would not affect his commitment to the European Tour.
McIlroy played a total of 11 PGA Tour-sanctioned tournaments last year, including all four majors and the three World Golf Championship events, and was quick to point out he would only have to find a further four to fulfil his new obligation.
"My decision is not that much of a big deal and besides, I am only adding a couple more events, and besides the European Tour is still my home tour," the 20-year-old stated.
"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."
McIlroy currently stands second in the Race to Dubai standings, just £47,000 behind leader Lee Westwood.
Commitments
However, he could find it more difficult to sustain such a challenge next season as he looks to maintain his commitments on both tours.
This season he played in 16 additional tournaments on the European Tour ahead of the Hong Kong Open, but that number will drop in 2010 as he adds to his schedule in America.
McIlroy has indicated next year he will play in Abu Dhabi and Dubai at the start of the year before heading to the US to prepare for The Masters.
After the US Open he will return for the Irish Open, the BMW PGA Championship and the Scottish Open before The Open at St Andrews in July with additional events added 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."
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Comments (6)
Martin Murray says...
I would like to see rory dominating the european field before trying his luck on the US tour in my honest opinion i think he will just be making up the numbers!!!!
Posted 20:53 19th November 2009
Mark Frame says...
Rors is a great player and playing in the States will make him even better. GO RORY
Posted 06:32 15th November 2009
Phil Conreen says...
Rorys move to the US is nothing to do with money. Rory wants majors, 3 out of the 4 majors are stateside and moving to the states with far better practice facilities and weather as well as getting used to the lightning fast greens will give him a great chance of winning not one but i predict many majors. Best of luck to him
Posted 20:58 12th November 2009
David Carmel says...
I think McIlroy could end up paying the price for too much travelling and his form could well suffer next year as a result. Look at what happened to Rose and to an extent Poulter when they tried to combine. I hope he's successful but think he could come unstuck.
Posted 10:35 12th November 2009
A h James says...
It is great to have another swashbuckler in the mold of Seve arrive on the world golf scene and have the skill to be a world-class winner on any course, anywhere. I like his whole attitude and agree that he should compete on all the tours that are open to him. Golf is a global game. And most followers of the game have the electronic equipment to spectate worldwide. I wish him all the best for the future.
Posted 10:18 12th November 2009
Steven Squibb says...
Nice to see Rory being loyal to our tour. Too many players want everything their own way these days. I think our European players should show their support for the Tour by playing the 'lesser events' on the schedule. Better sponsorship and prize money would soon follow. Harrington had the nerve to call this 'protectionism' recently. I think the word he should be looking for is 'honourable'.
Posted 15:06 11th November 2009