After a difficult few weeks deciding whether or not to play in his home country's Irish Open or the AT&T National -- Which is held at Congressional where he won the 2011 U.S. Open in such convincing fashion.World No. 2 Rory McIlroy has announced he will tee it up in his home country at the 2012 Irish Open.
The 2012 event has been moved to June 28 - July 1 to avoid the Summer Olympic games, which will be held in London in July.
The Irish Open this year was held on July 28 - 31, two weeks after the British Open.
Moving the event in 2012 also meant McIlroy would have a tough choice on his hands. Would he forgo his National Open to play in the AT&T National at Congressional?
After all, he did walk away from the field at the U.S. Open there earlier in 2011 to claim his first major championship in his career on this same course.
Earlier this month, McIlroy said, "I haven't made a decision where I am going to play. That stretch between the US Open and The Open [British Open] is the only stretch in the first part of the year I have not decided on."
"It's a tough one and I know I need to decide what I am going to do because the people in Ireland want to see me play in the Irish Open and if I don't play I know there will be a lot of comments."
"But I am very conscious the Irish Open needs home grown support. It needs support to guarantee the future but then Congressional will always have happy memories for me."
"It's something I know I have to decide on."
Well, that decision has been made as he will play in the 2012 Irish Open.
I believe it's a win-win for both McIlroy and of course the Irish Open itself. Yes he wants to play more in the U.S. moving forward, but this is his country's open championship.
He is without a doubt the best and most recognizable Irish golfer right now, and it would mean so much more for him to be there to give that local support to the Irish Open.
McIlroy will make his 2012 PGA Tour debut at the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship, February 23 - 26.
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