It clearly was part of the deal in discussions with new European Tour CEO Keith Pelley that four-time Major winning Rory McIlroy contest at least ‘one other’ event before the end of this year’s Race to Dubai schedule.
McIlroy had confirmed to www.golfbytourmiss.com at last month’s PGA Championship at Whistling Straits he was intent on contesting only the WGC – HSBC Champions event and the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai as his remaining season events on the European Tour.
He specifically ruled out the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, the British Masters and the BMW Masters in Shanghai.
It meant, and after spending some six weeks on the sideline, McIlroy would end his eighth full year in the pro ranks contesting just 11 European Tour events, and two less than the mandatory 13 in order to retain full membership.
However in discussions with the Tour, McIlroy surprisingly will now add the Turkish Airlines Open to his schedule, and the opening event of the four event Final Four Series.
Surprise – Rory McIlroy after discussions with the European Tour has added the Turkish Airlines Open to his 2015 schedule.
McIlroy, who had to seek a release from the PGA Tour to play the 2012 Turkish Airlines World Golf Final, the predecessor to the Turkish Airlines Open, said: “Now that I’m fit again and playing solid golf, I’m looking to finishing the year strongly, so Turkey will be a key tournament for me.
“I didn’t perform my best here in 2012, so had the weekend off to relax. It’s a really great holiday destination with a wonderful atmosphere but this time I’m hoping to be right in the running come Sunday as this it’s a tournament I would really love to win.
“Three years ago I was really impressed with the passion for golf in Turkey and I know it’s a sport that is growing all the time there.
“I know there’ll be a great buzz around the tournament and, with The Race to Dubai heading towards a climax, it will be an exciting week.”
Turkish Golf Federation President Ahmet Ağaoğlu said: “It is an honour to have Rory McIlroy competing in Turkey once again.
“This is part of my vision to grow the great sport of golf in Turkey. We had Tiger Woods at the first tournament in 2013, Sergio Garcia last year and now Rory in the third edition. Golf in Turkey continues to have a bigger and bigger influence on the global stage.”
Dr Ali Genc, Head of Media Relations at Turkish Airlines believes that McIlroy’s presence in Belek shows the growing strength of the tournament.
He said: “Turkish Airlines is delighted to be welcoming Rory McIlroy back to Turkey to sample our hospitality once again and we are proud to have one of the sport’s icons as part of an outstanding field.
“We have been on a journey with the Turkish Golf Federation to promote golf, increasing our golf portfolio year on year, and this is another wonderful chapter for us.
“After the success of the previous two years, we are confident that this seasons’ tournament will be better than ever.”
Victor Dubuisson and Brooks Koepka are the previous winners of a tournament that has been brought forward due to Antalya hosting the G20 summit.
The Turkish Airlines Open takes place between October 29 and November 1, with 78 players competing for a prize fund of $7 million.
