McIlroy responds to McGinley criticism: "I'm looking out for me"

Rory McIlroy has fired back at Paul McGinley's comments surrounding his potential decision to give up his European Tour membership in 2019.

McIlroy told the media earlier in the week that it would "not be the end of the world" if he decided to pass up his European Tour membership, to which a "disappointed" McGinley found the four-time major champion's comments to be "extraordinary" in light of possibly leaving his home Tour.

Should McIlroy decide to not renew his European Tour membership in 2019, then he would also pass up the future opportunity of ever captaining a European Ryder Cup side - as part of European Tour rules.

“McGinley is on the European Tour board, he’s involved and he has to protect what he has, and I get it," said McIroy.

"Everyone has to do what’s best for them and for me next year I’m trying to do what’s best for me to help get back to the best player in the world and try to win majors again."

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McIlroy wants everyone to calm down a bit, however, as he has still yet to fully decide on the matter.

“Geez, I’d cause all the stirs in the world if I go back to winning majors. Next year I am looking out for me. At the same time, I don’t have to make a decision on it. I didn’t say it was a definite. It is up in the air. We’ll see how it goes.”

McIlroy carded a 5-under 67 on Friday at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship to move to within three strokes of halfway leader Matt Wallace in a tie for sixth alongside Tommy Fleetwood - the latter of which is the only man who can track down Francesco Molinari at the top of the Race to Dubai standings, but only with a victory.