McIlroy to play on PGA Tour in 2010

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Rory McIlroy has confirmed he will take out a full PGA Tour membership next season, but intends to keep Europe as his “home” tour.

The 20-year-old currently lies second in the Race to Dubai and played 11 PGA Tour-sanctioned tournaments this season, including all four majors and the three World Golf Championship events

“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 Northern Irishman said ahead of this week’s Hong Kong Open.

“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 played 17 additional tournaments in the inaugural Race to Dubai but that number will drop in 2010.

He’s indicated 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, BMW PGA Championship and the Scottish Open before The Open at St Andrews in July, and return to Europe after 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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