Rory McIlroy will not play this year's Irish Open at Lahinch.
The BBC reports that the 29-year-old confirmed he will be giving the tournament a miss to focus on his preparations for The Open. The Irish Open takes place a fortnight before the Open Championship at Royal Portrush and McIlroy believes a change in schedule will give him a better chance of winning the Major.
That the world number eight will not play the tournament is not completely unexpected. He said last year he would play either the Irish Open or Scottish Open.
In three of his four Major wins, McIlroy played the week prior to the tournament. As he looks to win his first Major since 2014, he hopes to return to that schedule, one which favours playing the Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club rather than at Lahinch.
"If there is ever a year when I feel I can miss this Irish Open, it’s this year," said McIlroy.
If I was to play the Irish Open, The Open Championship would be my third event in a row.
For me, that’s not the best way to prepare for what could be the biggest event of my life.
I love the Irish Open. I’ve supported it in my whole career.
The people of Ireland are still going to see me playing golf because I’m going to play The Open Championship and I’m sure a lot of people will travel from down south.
McIlroy acted as the Irish Open's host between 2015 and 2018, winning it for the first time at the K Club in 2016. Paul McGinley takes over the role for the 2019 competition.
McIlroy also said that he will maintain his European Tour membership for next year. That requires him to play at least four events on the tour.
Photo by Oliver McVeigh/Sportsfile
