RORY McILROY is tempted to give up his European Tour status next year — even though it would KO his chances of becoming Ryder Cup captain.
McIlroy has pencilled in just two regular European Tour events next year.
To keep his card he would have to play a minimum of four. But it would rise to six if he does not play his home event, the Irish Open.
That looks unlikely as McIlroy says he will play either the Irish or Scottish Opens in the build-up to The Open at Portrush — and because he likes to play the week immediately prior to the Majors, that would see him heading to Scotland.
The European Tour brought in a new rule at the start of last year to reward players who remain loyal to the circuit.
It states: “Players cannot be a European Ryder Cup captain or a vice-captain if they decline membership of the European Tour, or fail to fulfil their minimum event obligation in any season.”
McIlroy, 29, may not be aware of that restriction.
But the former world No 1 says he needs to play more in America to end a Major drought stretching back to 2014 and to return to the top of the world rankings. The Northern Irishman explained: “I guess my thing is that I want to play against the strongest fields week in, week out and, for most of the season, that is in America.
GOLF IN CLASS England star shows off talent by shooting first even under-par round
“If I want to contend in the Majors and to continue my journey back towards the top of the game, then that’s what I need to do. The way the schedule has worked for next year, with the USPGA Championship moving to May . . . everything is going to be so condensed between March and August.
“Right now I don’t know if that means remaining a member of both Tours. I’ve got two events on my schedule in Europe and I don’t have to commit to that until next year. I am starting my year off in the States and that will be the big focus of mine up until the end of August. Then we will reassess from there.
LATEST RORY MCILROY NEWS
“It’s all sort of up in the air but if it were to be that I don’t fulfil my membership next year, it’s not a Ryder Cup year so it’s not the end of the world.”
If his Tour membership lapses for 2019, McIlroy would have to surrender Ryder Cup points earned between September and December next year.
And that would make it more difficult to qualify for the 2020 team automatically.
World No 7 McIlroy tees up in the DP World Tour Championship here in Dubai tomorrow – but he admits his season has been a let-down.
He said: “It’s not been the year I wanted. I’d give it a B-minus. I’ve played very consistently but not finished the job off. That’s something to work on next year.”