Phil Backs Scottish Open Move

Phil Mickelson has backed the European Tour's decision to move the Scottish Open away from Loch Lomond to a links course.

The move, the US Masters champion says, will better prepare players for the Open.

Castle Stuart near Inverness and the Renaissance Club to the east of Edinburgh are the front-runners to host the high-profile event, and European Tour representatives have already delivered reports after visiting both venues.

The 2011 Open will be played on the links at Royal St George's in Kent, England.

"Moving to a links course will benefit the tournament whether it's Castle Stuart ... or other links courses," the American left-hander said at the Singapore Open on Friday. "The players that will compete there will have a better preparation for the Open and because of that, it should increase the quality of the field even though it's been quite strong for the last few years. But whatever the venue I will be returning."

World number four Mickelson has played in seven of the past 10 Scottish Open's at Loch Lomond, losing a play-off to Frenchman Gregory Havret in 2007.

McIlroy To Play In Europe In 2011

Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy will not join the US Tour for 2011, saying he enjoys his time in Europe too much.

The 21-year-old told reporters he no longer wanted to play the mandatory number of tournaments required in the States.

"Sometimes you feel as though you have to be in America just to play the mandatory 15 and, at the start of this year, that was something I really wanted to do," he said.

"I did that, but I also realised it wasn't for me but then it doesn't mean to say that I don't want to play full time in the States again."

The world number nine was in Singapore on Monday for a corporate outing but was heading home to Ireland for a week's break rather than contest the Singapore Open starting on Thursday. McIlroy's manager, Andrew Chandler, sought a meeting with US Tour commissioner Tim Finchem last Sunday night straight after the HSBC Champions prize-giving ceremony.

McIlroy had been considering the decision since September, when he was watching TV coverage from the States of the Omega European Masters in Switzerland, an event he almost won in 2008. "I found myself in America... especially in the FedEx Cup play-off series, just not wanting to be there, especially on the golf course," said McIlroy. "I switched on the Golf Channel and began watching the Omega European Masters in Switzerland and thinking to myself I would rather be there instead.

"It would be easier if I had a place in the States and that would definitely make it easier to play both Tours.
"Besides, with the Majors and the WGCs, plus a few other events such as my defence of the Wells Fargo Championship (formerly Quail Hollow Championship) I will still play 11 or 12 there next year, and I will be happy with that."

It was a year ago when McIlroy revealed during the UBS Hong Kong Open he would be taking up 2010 membership of the game's greatest money-making tour.

McIlroy said his decision had also been slightly based on a recent European Tour decision to increase the number of events to retain automatic membership to 13 from next season. "I had made my mind up before the new decision you have to play 13 but that does make it more difficult," he said.

"But as I mentioned, I don't have a base in the States and besides I enjoy my time too much back at home.
"Holly (his girlfriend) also has another two years at Uni' and we have two dogs, a nice house and I love my life back in Ireland, back in Europe and I don't want ever to give that up.

"But if I keep playing the way I have been playing, I will get all the invitations I need.

"Also after playing the Ryder Cup, I got a great sense of the camaraderie out there, and I got to know many of the European guys a lot better.

"The thing is that if you are playing well in the States it's a great place to be but if you're not it can be a lonely place. Whereas if you are not playing well on the European Tour you still have plenty of mates to hang out with."

Reuters