Silly Season: Rory Under Fire For Turkey WD, Should He Be?

Rory McIlroy made a late decision to WD from the start of the European Tour's Race to Dubai, all but ruling the FedExCup champion from another playoff title and sizeable bonus pool check. He cited the security concerns after last week's bombing and normally this, combined with the excess of playing opportunities, would be enough.

But I think McIlroy is being called out by the tournament director and some of his peers because he has spent his off week making Ryder Cup news on a podcast, is the face of the European Tour even though he lives in the United States and pulled out of the Rio Games at the last minute. Oh, and this, noted in James Corrigan's Telegraph story.

McIlroy was understood to be guaranteed nearly £1 mllion in appearance fees, as well as the use of a private jet to fly directly into Antalya airport, a half-hour drive from this resort. However, a bomb which injured 12 people outside the local trade and industry chamber last week persuaded McIlroy as well as the US Ryder Cup hero Patrick Reed, and a few others, to change their plans.

Too many events with too little meaning and not enough reason to risk being there.