Rory McIlroy granted injury waiver to maintain European Tour membership
Rory McIlroy will get to keep his European Tour membership despite likely not finishing the season with the minimum number of starts required.
European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley announced Wednesday that McIlroy will keep his Euro Tour card though he will fall short of the 13-start floor and that he'll be eligible to compete in the tour's four-event, season-ending run akin to the FedExCup playoffs. Pelley gave McIlroy special dispensation because the Ulsterman missed three scheduled European Tour starts, including the Scottish Open, British Open and WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, while out with an injury suffered on July 4 while playing soccer.
“These are exceptional circumstances and I have taken this situation and the resulting decision very seriously,” Pelley said in a statement. “I have spent the last two weeks examining every angle and every possible solution, and I have spoken with Rory and his team, as well as independent medical advisers and some prominent players.
“After reviewing and discussing all the medical reports and recommendations from orthopedic surgeon Dr. Andrew Adair, physiotherapist Dr. Steve McGregor and our Chief of Medical staff Dr. Roger Hawkes – while at the same time recognizing that Rory is a world golfer with global commitments – I am convinced that he could not commit to any further tournament participation without risking further injury and persistent weakness to the ankle in the future. Therefore, after lengthy discussions, I have given him approval to play a minimum of 12 European Tour events this year.”
McIlroy, who won the co-sanctioned WGC-Cadillac Match Play, is currently No. 1 on the European Tour's Race to Dubai points list, well ahead of No. 2 Danny Willett.
First, however, McIlroy will finish out the PGA Tour season, competing in the final three legs of the FedExCup playoffs.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
