Rory is coming to America (after all)

Rory McIlroy apparently has decided once and for all (we think) to join the PGA Tour in 2010, following a series of conflicting reports that said he was coming, he was staying in Europe, and that he was still undecided.

"I just feel that I will become a better golfer if I also play in America," he told the Daily Mail from Hong Kong, where he will play in the Hong Kong Open this week. "I will be playing in world-class fields with more world ranking points on offer, and the only way for me to get better is to play alongside better players.

"And on paper at this moment there are 16 better players than me in the world."

McIlroy, 20, said he will retain his European Tour membership, even while playing the 15 PGA Tour events required of a PGA Tour member (the major championships and World Golf Championship events count toward the 15).

-- John Strege