Rory McIlroy says the European Tour is a springboard to playing on the PGA Tour

Rory McIlroy appears for the first time in 2019 during the Sentry Tournament of Champions event in Hawaii

Rory McIlroy has described the European Tour as & # 39; a springboard & # 39; and repeated his intention to focus on the PGA Tour in 2019.

The four-time major winner participates this week in the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii as part of his increased focus on US tournaments.

The 29-year-old wants to reduce his European tour duties in an attempt to add to his major titles.

"My life is here. I have an American woman. I live in America," McIlroy said.

"Honestly, I enjoy it here The way of life is simpler." The weather. "The convenience," he added.

The Northern Irishman has so far only dedicated to play two events on his home tour this season, and has to play a minimum of four tournaments outside the majors and the World Golf Championships to preserve his Europ ean Tour -membership.

"The ultimate goal here is [the US] The European Tour is a springboard, that's the truth, the European Tour is a springboard, that's what it is," he said.

"It is difficult, I still want to support the European Tour, and I am talking about loyalty to Europe. [But] It is not as if I have just started and jump on a ship

] "I have done my time. I have done everything I should do to say OK, I am making my own decisions and doing what I want. "

McIlroy, who has long been a supporter of the European Tour, was able to add two other European tournaments to his schedule for 2019, but admits that the PGA Tour offers much more incentives for & # 39; s The world's best players: "It is so one-sided, you can talk about everything you want about these larger events in Europe, but you can go to America to play for more money and more ranking points.

"I also think with the points of the world rankings, everyone here, all their contracts with sponsors, it's all about points of world rankings: if players get paid more and earn more points on the world rankings, why would you play there? "

McIlroy is combined with Xander Schauffele for the opening round of the tournament of champions at the Kapalua Resort

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