Rory McIlroy & # 039; s plan to reduce European Tour events disappoints Paul McGinley

Rory McIlroy is considering not playing in the Irish Open of next year in Lahinch

Former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley says he is stunned by the prospect that Rory McIlroy will play only two European Tour events next season

World number seven McIlroy must play four European Tour tournaments outside of the majors and World Golf Championship events to preserve Tour membership.

McIlroy has only two on his agenda and can miss the Irish Open, which he has organized over the past four years

"It is very disappointing," McGinley said in his Sky Sports column.

"I have confused my brain about how it can be.

" Clear Rory sees it in other ways and has his own reason for this, although I find it difficult to understand, "added McGinley, who will follow the 29-year-old successor as Irish Open tournament guest at next year's event in Lahinch.

" Of the 12 players that répresented Europe in the Ryder Cup this year, Rory is the only one who will do that and the others have signed up to play at least four events outside of the majors and WGCs.

"We" have already reduced the number of events that players have to play on the European Tour from five to four, only to make it easier for the boys, such as Rory, to play a global schedule.

"At the moment it is at least minimal and the European Tour does not think that four is a gigantic task to meet."

If McIlroy leaves his membership in 2019, would be able to re-enter the European Tour to qualify for the 2020 Ryder Cup, although a regulation introduced in January 2017 would prevent him from to become captain or vice-captain during the biennial competition.

However, Europe & # 39; s winning skipper in 2014 does not believe that the future captain's issue is a major consideration for McIlroy.

"I do not think Rory worries about what will happen in 20 years, and that is what he would look for if he would become Ryder Cup captain or vice-captain

" At the moment he worries about his golf and concentrates on what he will do in the next 12 months. "