McIlroy mulling over decision to join PGA TOUR in 2010

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Rory McIlroy made 11 starts on the PGA TOUR this season; he missed only one cut and finished in the top 20 seven times.

Rory McIlroy appears to be strongly considering taking up membership on the PGA TOUR for the 2010 season.

According to a report in the Belfast Telegraph, the 20-year-old phenom from Northern Ireland may follow in the footsteps of Padraig Harrington and become a member of both the PGA TOUR and European Tour next year.

McIlroy is expected to announce his decision to join during the Dubai World championship, which will be held Nov. 19-22, according to an article in the Daily Mail. He has until Dec. 1 to make his decision.

"I love playing over here, but I love playing the States as well, because it really suits my game," McIlroy told the Telegraph. "Why am I waiting? Just to think about it. Just to mull it over. It is a big decision and it is going to mean more time away from home, which is a big factor."

McIlroy is currently ranked 16th in the world. He played in 11 PGA TOUR events this year and finished in the top 10 on three occasions, including a tie for third at the PGA Championship and a tie for 10th at the U.S. Open.

The money McIlroy earned in those events was enough to place him among the all-exempt top 125 on the current PGA TOUR money list. As a result, he can join players like Henrik Stenson and Jeev Milkha Singh, who plan to join the TOUR in 2010.

PGA TOUR members must play in at least 15 events, while European Tour members need just 12. The four majors and the World Golf Championships count on both Tours.

If he decides to play in the U.S., McIlroy said he might rent a house in West Palm Beach, Fla., but added "nothing has been decided."

A more robust PGA TOUR schedule early in the season, as well as a stronger economic climate, apparently are among McIlroy's considerations.

"Look at the Frys.com Open last week," he said. "There was no one in the top 20 in the world in the field, and yet they were still playing for $5 million."

After the European Tour leaves its Middle East swing in early February, there may only be three events on the schedule before the Masters. The PGA TOUR, on the other hand, features an event every week.

"If you are not in the top 50 in the world on the European Tour next year, you are going to have a six-week break after the 'Gulf Swing' where you are not going to play very much," McIlroy said.