• Out of Bounds

Rory right to snub PGA Tour

Rory McIlroy will be looking to celebrate victory in 2011 © PA Photos

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Rory McIlroy has taken the decision to turn his back on the riches on offer on the PGA Tour and it is a move that Out of Bounds applauds.

The Ulsterman took up membership of the PGA Tour for the 2010 season - claiming the decision was motivated by a desire to take on the best in the world on a regular basis in order to sharpen his game. He secured a stunning victory in his first season as a PGA player when storming through the field to claim victory in the Quail Hollow Championship in May.

That victory was expected to be the spark that lit the fire, but his form levelled off in the second half of the season and despite decent finishes at the Open, US PGA Championship, Bridgestone Invitational and WGC-HSBC Champions, he did not look totally at ease with things.

Only this week, McIlroy said he was looking to take things back to how he was swinging the club before the Open at St Andrews, where he finished third behind Louis Oosthuizen, and it was a clear indication that all was not well with the 21-year-old.

And on Tuesday he confirmed that he will not be signing up to the 15 tournaments that all members of the PGA Tour have to commit to secure their membership.

"I found myself in America last year, especially during the FedEx Cup play-off series, just not wanting to be there," McIlroy said. "I switched on the Golf Channel and watched the European Masters in Switzerland and thought to myself, 'I would rather be there'.

"The two best players in the world at the moment are not going to join the US Tour next year. It's a great time for European golf.

McIlroy's girlfriend Holly has played a part in his decision to commit to the European Tour in 2011 © Getty Images

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"The FedEx Cup is only about money and you shouldn't just be going over to play thinking about how much you can make. I needed a break after the USPGA but had only one week. There is no flexibility in your schedule as the FedEx forces you to appear at those events. I didn't like that."

With Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer also rejecting the overtures of the PGA Tour, the European Tour paymasters will be rubbing their hands together with glee.

McIlroy's long-term girlfriend Holly is at university in Belfast and it was evident that the boy from Holywood was somewhat homesick while holed up in hotels and rented houses in the States.

"If you're not playing well in the States it can be a lonely place," he said. "But if you're not playing well on the European Tour you still have plenty of mates to hang out with. Holly also has another two years at university and we have two dogs, a nice house and I love my life back in Ireland. I don't ever want to give that up."

McIlroy gave life on the road a shot, but it clearly did not suit and he is now free to pick and choose the events he wants to play in Stateside. Non members can play in 12 tournaments on the PGA Tour and that is plenty for McIlroy to get his teeth into. And a player of his talent and spectator-appeal will not be short of invitations.

McIlroy is at his best when he has a spring in his step and a smile on his face. That was not always on show in the second half of 2010, but it will be back next year and it could well be that 2011 is the year that will see the boy turn into the man.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.