LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Although Rory McIlroy said he is done with the PGA Tour, according to circuit regulations his decision won’t be final until Dec. 14, the deadline for members to play their annual dues.
McIlroy, who told reporters in London on Monday he would not continue his Tour membership, will also be limited in the number of Tour events he will be allowed to play next year and beyond.
According to Andy Pazder, the Tour’s senior vice president of tournament administration, McIlroy will be limited to ten Tour starts in 2011, that’s two fewer than a normal non-member, as a result of his decision to turn down membership.
That means the Northern Irish phenom will be able to play the four majors, three World Golf Championships, The Players Championship and two other Tour events for the next five years.
Tour regulations will also keep McIlroy from rejoining the Tour for at least one year, but he could return to the circuit after 2011.
“If he had a change of heart and wanted to come back and play a full schedule he could rejoin in 2012 (based on his two-year exemption for winning this year’s Quail Hollow Championship),” Pazder said.
