Rory McIlroy has confirmed he will miss this year’s Irish Open at Lahinch in order to focus on his preparations for The Open at Royal Portrush.
McIlroy, 29, says missing his national open, which takes two weeks before the major, will give himself a better chance of winning The Open.
The Open is returning to Northern Ireland for the first time since 1951.
“If there is ever a year when I feel I can miss this Irish Open, it’s this year,” said McIlroy.
Speaking to BBC Sport Northern Ireland, McIlroy said that his plan to “tune up” for the Portrush event by competing in the Scottish Open a week earlier, meant that he was forced to miss the Lahinch tournament, in order to keep himself fresh for the major.
“If I was to play the Irish Open, The Open Championship would be my third event in a row.
“For me, that’s not the best way to prepare for what could be the biggest event of my life,” added the Northern Irishman on the eve of the WGC Mexico Championship which starts on Thursday.
McIlroy has been Irish Open tournament host since 2015 although Paul McGinley will undertake that role at Lahinch in county Clare this year.
Rory McIlroy says he will remain a European Tour member so that he can continue to play in the Ryder Cup
The former world number one will maintain his European Tour membership for next year.
