Rory McIlroy may give Players Championship a miss

THE biggest first prize in golf might not be enough to attract Rory McIlroy next year.

The 21-year-old Northern Irishman revealed in Dubai yesterday he is not certain to compete in the Players Championship - often dubbed golf's "unofficial fifth major" - in May. Having already decided not to continue as a member of the US PGA Tour, the world No 3 would set more alarm bells ringing if he skips their flagship event. "Not sure," was McIlroy's answer on being asked whether he would be chasing the winner's cheque of more than 1million at Sawgrass in Florida.

"I don't like the golf course for a start. Not to say The Players isn't a great event - it's very prestigious and it would be great to win it one day - but it just might not suit the schedule next year.

"I'm going to play Quail Hollow the week before (he is the defending champion) and then there are big tournaments in Europe. You have the World Match Play (in Spain the following week) and then the BMW PGA Championship (at Wentworth) straight after. They are two big events in the Race to Dubai and I want to try to win that."

Asked what he did not like about Sawgrass, McIlroy, who has missed the halfway cut on both his appearances at the event, added: "It's a Pete Dye course and I find it very awkward off the tee."