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

500 Not Out For Monty.

Scotland's Colin Montgomerie reaches another landmark when he competes in the Andalucia Open next week. Monty will make his 500th appearnce on the European Tour when he tees up in Seville. He is also Britain's most prolific winner on the European Tour.Europe's 2010 Ryder Cup captain will be aiming to win his 32nd Tour title, 20 years after winning his first.

Montgomerie turned professional in1987 and collected his first pay cheque-for £1905- when he finished tied for 45th place at the German Masters. 20 years later he won the slightly more substantial sum of £593,580 with a one shot victory at The European Open at The K Club in Ireland. He also surpassed Nick Faldo's previous record of 30 European Tour titles with this win.

His first win was in the 1989 Portugese Open where he cruised to an 11 shot victory, his biggest winning margin on the tour.

Since then, the 45 year old has a total of £23,639,775 in official career earnings. He has recorded 182 European top ten finishes, set 13 course records and lifted the Harry Vardon Trophy for winning the European Order of Merit eight times. He has had eight holes in one on the European Tour, won six European Tour titles in a single season, captured three consecutive BMW PGA championships and has received theTour's Golfer of the Year award four times.

He also remains unbeaten in eight Ryder Cup singles matches stretching back to 1991.

The only thing missing from that tremendous record is a victory in a Major championship, and you would have to think that time is now against him in that quest.

By his own admission, he is now set to fulfil a lifetime's ambition by captaining Europe's 2010 Ryder Cup team at Celtic Manor in Wales.

World Golf Championships Day 3.

A couple of impressive wins yesterday for two young European Tour players. Northern Ireland teenager Rory McIlroy and Ross Fisher from England both secured 4 & 3 wins in the Arizona desert yesterday.

McIlroy, who is playing his first tournament in America since turning professional, dominated his match against Tim Clark, who in the previous round had beaten world number 1 Tiger Woods. The Irishman is showing a lot of maturity for his age and never looked in danger against the South African.

Fisher had victory over former US Open champion Jim Furyk, a day after Furyk himself had a crushing victory of 6 & 5 over fellow American Pat Perez. Fisher was three up at the turn and eventually sealed the win at the 15th.
There were also victories for Ernie Els (2up ) over Luke Donald, Stewart Cink (1up ) over Phil Mickelson, 2 & 1 wins for Geoff Ogilvy and Sean O'Hair over Camilo Villegas and Ian Poulter respectively, Justin Leonard beat Oliver Wilson at the 19th and Paul Casey beat Peter Hansen by 3 & 2.

Quarter- finals and semi-finals are played tomorrow ( Saturday ).

European Tour Has New Youngest Winner.

New Zealand teenager and amateur golfer, Danny Lee, made history yesterday when winning the Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth to become the European Tour's youngest winner.

The Kiwi kid was two shots off the pace going into the last round and went ahead to birdie four of his last six holes for a 67 and 271 total to win by a stroke at The Vines.

At 18 years and 213 days, Danny is 77 days younger than South African Dale Hayes when he won the 1971 Spanish Open.

Lee said "It still feels like I am in dreamland. Hopefully no one wakes me up. But I played really well the last few days and it's pretty amazing what I've done - winning a European Tour event."

The youngster, who also won last year's Western Amateur title, is all set to turn professional after this year's US Masters in April.