RORY McILROY SAYS that he wants to ‘do the right thing’ and that is why he has chosen to play the Irish Open next year, as opposed to returning to the scene of his greatest golfing triumph.
The Irish Open – still without a venue or sponsorship – has been moved forward five weeks to June 28th so that it does not clash with the Olympic Games in London.
There had been speculation that McIlroy would swerve the event to play in the AT&T National on the same weekend but McIlroy feels that his commitment to his home event will help it to secure both a venue and essential sponsorship.
“One of the reasons why I want to commit to the Irish Open now is to help attract a sponsor and a venue,” he told the Daily Mail.
“Of course I feel the responsibility. I know people back home are struggling and I know it would be a huge disappointment to them if I decided to play in America that week.
“Yes, it would have been lovely to go back to Congressional and relive what happened last June. But a lot of people in Ireland have enough troubles without me upsetting them by deciding to play elsewhere.”
McIlroy won the US Open by a record eight shots in June, two months after his infamous collapse at the Masters in Augusta, but confirmed on Wednesday that he would not be returning to Congressional.
“There has been a lot of speculation on whether or not I will play the Irish Open next year, so I am happy to announce that I will definitely play the tournament,” the 22-year-old said in a European Tour statement, issued through his management company Horizon.
