McIlroy starts the season 2019 in Hawaii

Rory McIlroy misses the Irish Open, which he has hosted in the past four years

Rory McIlroy makes his debut in the Sentry Tournament of Champions next week at the beginning of a year in which he will concentrate more on the PGA Tour

The 29-year-old is qualified for the event – composed exclusively of PGA Tour winners – on six previous occasions, but has never participated.

The Northern Irish is planning to reduce his European Tour commitments in an attempt to add to his four major titles.

Justin Rose of England does not appear in the Kapalua Resort in Hawaii.

World number one Brooks Koepka and 2013 winner Dustin Johnson will head the event, while the Englishman Paul Casey will make his first appearance in the tournament since 2010.

European golfer of the year Francesco Molinari will also appear in the 34-strong field but Tiger Woods, who qualified with his victory at the Tour Championship in September, will not participate

In recent seasons, McIlroy started his playing year during the series of European tournaments. Tour in the Middle East, but he announced in November that he would concentrate on the PGA Tour until the end of August in an effort to regain his best form.

The former number one of the world has so far organized only two European Tour events for 2019, but he has to play four games outside the majors and the World Golf Championship to retain his Tour membership.