Rory McIlroy will be allowed to maintain his European Tour membership despite not playing the required minimum 13 tournaments this season.
European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley has given the world number one special dispensation in light of the ligament damage that saw him miss three scheduled European Tour events this summer.
McIlroy missed the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, the Open Championship and the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in July and August following an injury to his left ankle picked up in a soccer game with friends. As a result, the Northern Irishman will not be able to fulfill the European Tour’s 13 tournament minimum requirement.