Rory McIlroy admitted he considered quitting the European Tour to make his schedule easier to manage.

The Northern Irishman spends much of his time flying between Europe and the United States in order to compete on both major Tours, but he acknowledges it takes its toll.

“Have I contemplated it (leaving Europe)? Yes, I have. Would I do it? Probably not,” the 26-year-old told BBC Sport. “You know, getting sick of the travel, getting sick of having to cross back and forth between tours.

“I feel like I owe a lot to the European Tour, they gave me a lot of opportunities at the start of my career. I will always be grateful for that.

The four-time major champion also said he would support Paul Casey if the Englishman turned his back on Europe and the Ryder Cup, as he suggested.

European team hopefuls must play a minimum of 13 events on the European Tour to qualify for the biennial clash.

“The players on the European Tour have had endless dialogue about reducing the number of tournaments that you need to play,” McIlroy added.

“Some things matter more to people than others and I’d say family would always come first before any golf tournament, no matter what it is.

“So if that’s Paul’s decision more power to him for doing that. The way he’s playing it would be a bit of a blow for the European Ryder Cup team.

The Northern Irishman did not play 13 events on the Tour this season because of an ankle injury suffered playing football, but an exception for was made for the former world number one.

“I had a long chat with Keith Pelley (European Tour CEO) this week about some of the plans and some of the ideas that they have going forward and they’re very exciting and very promising. Stuff like that I would be excited to be part of,” he said.

Poulter to host British Masters Ian Poulter has selected his home club of Woburn as this week’s venue in his capacity as host of a tournament that returns to the European Tour for the first time since 2008.

The role will be filled by fellow Englishmen Luke Donald, Justin Rose and Lee Westwood in the next three years.

And the Ryder Cup star wants to use home advantage to get his name on the trophy alongside the likes of Greg Norman, Seve Ballesteros, Lee Trevino, Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie.

“The names on the trophy are all of the great players that I’ve followed through the years,” said Poulter, European Tour Tip : Graeme Mc Dowell at 20/1 offers decent each way value GC2 Simulator: Custom Fitting Bookings now being taken for the use of our new GC2 Simulator,play the Ryder Cup course at The Belfry. 9 hole and 18 hole packages available.

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