First it was the buzz about Tiger Woods returning to competition.

But in a bigger surprise Rory McIlroy announced will rejoin the U.S. Tour from the commencement of next year.

It was less than a year ago at the close of the WGC – Champions event in Shanghai that McIlroy indicated he was discontented with his lifestyle Stateside.

McIlroy revealed he was in his hotel room during the BMW Championship in Chicago and watching the Golf Channel coverage of the European Masters, and an event he had finished second in 2008, but wishing he was back home enjoying the comforts of his Northern Ireland home and competing in Europe.

So much so, McIlroy advised PGA Commissioner, Tim Finchem while in China he was quitting the Tour after just one season.

Now in a complete U-turn McIlroy will play the mandatory 15 PGA Tour events in 2012 and also balance that with the compulsory 13 he has to play to retain European Tour membership.

And McIlroy admitted his decision, in part, is a result of breaking-up with long-time girlfriend, Holly Sweeney and the fact he’s been seen in the States with Danish-born tennis star Caroline Wozniacki.

“Maybe it’s to do with changes in my personal life, definitely,” he said.

“It’s not common for someone from Ireland to be comfortable with the golf courses over here but they just seem to suit my game, my ball flight and so on.

“I love Quail Hollow, Memorial, Akron, the Match Play, Honda, Doral and the Masters.  You have your favourite events, and most of the my favourite events seem to be on this side of ‘The Pond’. 

“I feel as if I play my best golf over here in the States.  I am very comfortable in this country.

“Also I’ve always had a great relationship with the officials on the PGA Tour and they fully understood how I felt at the end of last year.

“But things change and while I have not made a certain decision, it is something I am seriously considering.”

And McIlroy’s decision to play more in the States is a huge boost for the PGA Tour given Europe currently dominates the ancient club-and-ball game.

He spoke to the PGA Tour’s Andy Pazder, Chief of Operations and Ross Berlin, Senior Vice-President, Player Relations.

Pazder admitted he was ecstatic McIlroy is returning full-time to the States.

“It was a visit he had with Ross initially and then I was able to speak with him but I thought for no particular reason that Rory would again take up membership and whether it was within a year or five years, I thought he would return,” said Pazder.

“There’s something to be said competing in America and that’s why I thought he would consider rejoining.

“He’s a young person who’s 22 years of age and who has quite a bit of golf ahead of him.

“He still has to make a final decision and if it works out he is rejoining the PGA Tour then we’re ecstatic about that.

“Rory has an immense talent, a personable young man and he would be an asset for us without a question.

“But he’s got a lot to consider and we will help in any way possible with his thought process.”

And with TV contracts with the PGA Tour up for renewal at the end of 2012 McIlroy’s membership could now be pivotal in the Tour’s dealing with the giant U.S. networks.

“Rory is an immense talent and for a person to win the U.S. Open by eight shots, he certainly captivated the fans in the U.S. and frankly around the world,” said Pazder.

“So to have him potentially as a member next year is very important, and if it works out we will be quite happy with that.”

McIlroy intends spending a few days after next week’s U.S. PGA residing with good friend and fellow U.S. Open winner, Graeme McDowell at his Lake Nona house in Florida.

And McIlroy will use the time to seek out a house to his liking.

“G Mac is very keen for me to come down and see Lake Nona but I will also look at Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter, and around there,” he said.