Rory McIlroy has committed to next week’s British Masters after failing to qualify for the big-money Tour Championship on the PGA Tour.
The four-time major champion has dropped two spots to eighth in the latest world rankings after an injury-stricken 2017.
The Northern Irishman has been struggling with rib and back injuries for the majority of the season but will play at the Close House venue in Northumberland a week before, his final start of the year, the Dunhill Links Championship.
The news comes after his failure to qualify for this week’s Tour Championship in Atlanta, due to a 58th place finish at the penultimate FedExCup playoff event. Alongside missing the cut as the defending champion, in Boston, the week before.
A final day 71 at Conway Farms, McIlroy signed for a two-under-par tally, ending a winless season 59th in the standings, his worst ranking since moving from Holywood to the States in 2010.
“Teeing it up next week gives me one more chance to end 2017 on a high,” McIlroy told the European Tour website.
I kind of had it in the back of my mind that if I didn’t make the Tour Championship then there was a chance to tee it up at Close House.
It will be the third time McIlroy has teed it up at the tournament and a return to the scene of his professional debut a decade ago.
Back then it was the Quinn Direct British Masters and the Ulster man was 18-years-old, decked in a pink jumper and rocking a black curly barnet.
He signed with International Sports Management and finished his first professional event +2 in a tie for 42nd. Now he looks to correct his 2017 in the only way he knows how:
If I can sign off the year with a win or two in Newcastle and then St Andrews I would take so many positives into my six-week recovery period when I am going to reset mentally and physically.
Lee Westwood, host for this years British Masters, commented to be “thrilled” by his Ryder Cup teammate’s inclusion to the field, which has also pulled Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, and Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston.
The first time I played with Rory was actually in the British Masters at the Forest of Arden, so it’s great to have him back playing in the tournament.
To be able to boast Rory McIlroy as part of the stellar field has boosted all hopes for this tournament, to see ticket sales rise and more young fans out, lining the fairways to catch a glimpse of their hero.
McIlroy will miss the Race to Dubai finale, but playing the British Masters will allow him to reach the minimum of five events he requires as a European Tour member.
With his season drawing to a close McIlroy has only played 16 events in an injury sidelined 2017 and after winning at least one tournament each year since 2008, this off-season could be crucial for the former world number one.
