Rory chases American dream

Rory McIlroy is convinced his decision to join the PGA Tour next year will help him develop into a better player.

European number one-elect to spread his wings in 2010

Rory McIlroy is convinced his decision to join the PGA Tour next year will help him develop into a better player. The 20-year-old, who this week will bid to become the youngest European number one since Seve Ballesteros in 1976, wants more competition at the highest level in 2010 in the build-up to the Ryder Cup at the end of the summer. McIlroy sought the advice of manager Andrew Chandler and stablemates Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood, who have enjoyed little success Stateside. However, lunch with India's Jeev Milkha Singh during the World Match Play in Spain three weeks ago helped make up the Northern Irelander's mind. "Lee and Darren have tried playing there and it didn't really work out for them," he said. "They would rather stay in Europe and I want to venture out. "They were giving me advice based on their past experiences. Jeev said 'Do you want to play over there?' and I said I love it." "He said, 'If you want to why not? You're young. It's great.' I knew I wanted to go and that was the conversation that probably swung it for me. McIlroy may only play an extra handful of events in America with so many of the top tournaments affiliated to both the US and European tours. "Most of the ones I will be playing will have Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Steve Stricker (the current world top three) and I want to challenge myself against the best," he added. "I think I will become a better player."