RORY WON’T BEJOURNEY MAN SOON
RORY McILROY has ruled out a return to Europe this year and insists injured rival Brooks Koepka has done the right thing by pulling himself out of the FedExCup race.
Despite a home event at the Irish Open, the BMW PGA and the ASI Scottish Open taking place before the end of 2020, McIlroy intends to stay in the United States due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 31-year-old, who starts his bid for a third FedEx Cup title tonight at the Northern Trust in Boston, said: “I just don’t see myself travelling internationally for a while.
“I’m playing four of the next five events here in the US with that last week being the US Open.
“It might be different if there could be fans there but it’s behind closed doors and it’s not an Irish Open like we’re used to it being with big prize funds and everything.
“I really just want to spend time at home and not travel too much in the next few months.”
McIlroy starts the FedExCup play-offs eighth in the standings but the Northern Irish ace has brilliant form at the venue, having won twice in the past at TPC Boston.
He said: “It’s nice to be up there even though I haven’t had the best few weeks coming back from lockdown. I’m still right in there in the top 10 and feel if I can get something going over the next few weeks, I’ve a great chance going into East Lake.
“I saw some good signs last week in practice and it’s just a matter of it translating out into the competitive arena.
“Boston’s a place and a golf course where I’ve got some nice history, so hopefully that can ignite something for me.”
McIlroy, meanwhile, reckons Koepka has done the right thing with his FedEx withdrawal.
The American has struggled with a knee injury which saw him sidelined for three months last season and also needed on-course treatment to his hip during his title defence at the USPGA Championship in San Francisco.
The four-time Major winner sat 97th in the FedEx rankings ahead of this week’s first play-off event, with only the top 70 on Sunday evening advancing to next week’s BMW Championship.
McIlroy believes taking a break before the two upcoming Majors is a smart move.
He said: “It’s a better time to get it right and take a few weeks off to try and get ready for the US Open and The Masters coming up.
“It’s smart. He has just played six or seven weeks in a row.
“That takes a toll on your body anyway.”