Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy is set to step back from the European PGA Tour to concentrate on the Tour in America as he bids to contend for next year’s major championships.

This could mean the four-time major winner not fulfilling the requirements for membership next season.

Changes in next year’s global golf calendar see the US PGA Championship major moving from August to May.

For McIlroy to keep his European Tour membership he would have to play in four tournaments as well as the majors and World Golf Championship events. He has only committed to two events.

Speaking today in Dubai ahead of the European Tour’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship, the world No.7 said:

 “I am starting my year off in the States and that will be the big focus of mine up until the end of August and then we will assess from there.

“I guess my thing is that I want to play against the strongest fields week-in and week-out and for the most part of the season that is in America.

“The way the schedule has worked for next year, it is going to be different for a lot of guys. Everything is going to be so condensed between March and August and that is why I am taking a big off-season to get myself ready.

“If I want to continue to contend in the majors and to continue my journey back towards the top of the game, then that’s what I want to do.”

After the Dubai finale, the Northern Irishman will only play once in the next 13 weeks as he prepares for the 2019 campaign.