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Rory McIlroy says no to US tour
Friday, 17 April 2009
Rory McIlroy showed enough on his Masters debut at Augusta to prove that one day he can be a champion there
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Rory McIlroy has formally turned down a golden opportunity to become a full member of the US PGA Tour.
McIlroy was approached by the US PGA Tour with the offer of ‘Special Temporary’ membership, which is customary Tour practice once a player earns a certain amount in a season.
When he arrives home early next week from South Carolina, where he is competing in the Verizon Heritage in Hilton Head, McIlroy will decline the offer.
‘Special Temporary’ membership becomes automatically available to non-US Tour competitors once they have earned more in a year than the 150th placed player on the money list the previous year.
Last year that player was former British Open champion Todd Hamilton, who banked $537,958.
England’s Ross Fisher has applied and been accepted under the ‘Special Temporary’ membership category given that he has amassed $588,575, with $490,000 of that earned in finishing a beaten semi-finalist in the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship.
Other Europeans to accept ‘Special Temporary’ membership this year include Ryder Cup star Oliver Wilson and India’s Jeev Milka Singh.
McIlroy arrived in Hilton Head having earned $526,093 from his five events in the States, with his best being a cheque for $270,000 for finishing in a tie for fifth in the Match Play Championship.
It means that once McIlroy earns the $11,865 that is the difference between what he’s earned this year and the sum Hamilton banked last year, he's fully eligible for ‘Special Temporary’ member status.
And after discussing the issue with 2008 US Masters champion Trevor Immelman, McIlroy has now confirmed he has declined the offer after carding an opening-round one-over-par 72 on the Harbour Town course.
“I am only going to play 11 events over here this year so I don’t need any extra invites to compete,” said McIlroy.
“I’ve thought about taking out full membership but that would mean adding another four events over here which would be quite difficult.
“So it’s a lot of golf on top of what I need to play in Europe so I’ll put that idea on hold for the time being.”
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I though you all (71%) agreed in the good friday surrender that you would for a share of power treat Northern Ireland as an entity. I watched the last match play and all Northern Ireland players wore a red vertical cross with a red hand emblem on the back of their shirts. Paddy(sorry I can'speak Gaelic) Harrington wore a ROI flag on the back of his. Didn't see any lack of respect there.
Still Norn Iron
Fred
Posted by fred needham | 18.04.09, 16:50 GMT
baryy
Do you not reserve the same pride for Padraig Harrington, Michael Hoey, Damien Mc Grane, Darren Clarke,Paul Mc Ginley, Graeme Mc Dowell or Gary Murphy? Don't you think all the Irish golfers deserve our support?...Come to think of it, I doubt they'd want the pride or support of someone with your attitude! You've picked up the Mickey 'sports/politics' baton and ran away with it....pathetic!
and Patrick..chris is right! - you're wierd
Posted by mark | 17.04.09, 15:05 GMT
Which Patrick is weird ? Patrick or the other Patrick ? God this is weird - I'm out of here, having started it all, except to say "Go young Rory, you European !!
P.S. I'm having terrible problems with my putting - any hints lads ?
Posted by Patrick | 17.04.09, 14:29 GMT
i dont think a question of national pride is a particularily petty point. Call an american canadian and see if they like it as much? Or call swedish people norwegian, i know they dont like that. My point is simple, Rory McIllroy is northern irish
Posted by baryy | 17.04.09, 14:07 GMT
Patrick - you're weird!!
Posted by Chris | 17.04.09, 13:57 GMT
Well done Rory. The Euro tour is a healthier place to play. The players all ( nearly) like each other, they travel together and eat together. They'll look out for you and help you to have a great future in the game. Unlike their American cousins, which is why the Yanks have a hard time playing well as a team.
p.s. this is a different Patrick, personally I don't care if Rory is a Wiccan or a Fire-worshipper!
Posted by patrick | 17.04.09, 13:18 GMT
Shut up, baryy. Go young Rory!
Posted by No Flags | 17.04.09, 13:14 GMT
baryy
You manage to complain about others whilst scoring a petty political point of your own.......eejit!
Posted by mark | 17.04.09, 12:57 GMT
Irish...Northern Irish....what is your point there Baryy?? Though I'm sure Mickey would be able to help you out here....
Posted by Where has Mickey Gone? | 17.04.09, 12:09 GMT
Stop the thread of religion right here! it has nothing whatsoever to do with this article.
One day......
Posted by Jen | 17.04.09, 11:40 GMT
I've admitted my indiscretion - read my last posting and get a life lads. And by the way how many IRISH relics are you digging up nowadays on "northern" Irish soil, and can we have them back ?
Posted by Patrick | 17.04.09, 11:39 GMT
i really dont see how anything here called for any mention of anything with regard to religion. Especially a silly point about him being irish. last time i checked, holywood is on northern irish soil.
Posted by baryy | 17.04.09, 11:23 GMT
Totally agree with Dave !!!
Posted by Roger | 17.04.09, 10:52 GMT
Dave,
In view of the obsession with political and religious affiliation in NI I thought it, on first viewing, not out of context. But even as a keen golfer, I admit it was uncalled for, something I realized as soon as I had pressed "Post". Anyway, no excuse, but I always wanted to get it out about the great George Best. But a fetish ? ... personally I have a thing about silk stockings...on women.
Posted by Patrick | 17.04.09, 10:31 GMT
Why mention it then Partick? There was clearly no need to, except to satisfy your own fetish/view!
Posted by dave | 17.04.09, 10:10 GMT
There may be more to it than meets the eye but fair play to young Rory. On the surface anyway, and I hope underneath as well he is showing that greed for money has its limitations. He has my everlasting respect and admiration.
It is sad to even have to mention it, but I don't give a damn where his political/religious affiliations lie . Hopefully he is indifferent. Since he was born and raised in Ireland he is Irish to me and everyone on the island of Ireland should be proud of him.
To paraphrase the great George Best ; " In the media I was British when I played well, and Irish when I was drunk". God rest you George, and go young Rory !!
Posted by Patrick | 17.04.09, 05:16 GMT