European Tour Notebook: Goosen sees no need for change to Road Hole

Retief Goosen believes there was no need to change the 17th hole at St. Andrews for next year's British Open.

One of the most famous holes in the sport is being lengthened from 455 yards to 490, with the tee going across the other side of the disused railway line.

"I hope they keep the forward tees, because if we play into the wind we won't reach in two," said the South African, who finished fifth in the last Open at St. Andrews. "I don't know why they wanted to do that. It's such a great hole anyway -- so much can happen on it.

"Next year we're going back to the smaller grooves as well, so it's going to become even more difficult to hit that green," he added. "I don't think it's the right thing.

"If you play it downwind, then you're hitting a driver and 7- or 8-iron, but into the wind I've played it when you couldn't reach," he explained. "Depending on conditions, it could be a good change or a bad change."

McILROY NOT SURE ABOUT AMERICA: Rory McIlroy says he is "80 percent sure" that he won't be joining the PGA Tour next year. The 20-year-old, who could become the youngest-ever winner of the European Order of Merit, is expected to make his decision known in Dubai next month.

But he stated in Portugal that he is "definitely leaning" toward staying as a member only in Europe for at least one more season. That would still allow him to play majors, world championships and a few other events in the States.

"I'm happy with that," he said. "Fifteen (the minimum he would have to play as a PGA Tour member) is not hard to do, but I don't want to be going back and forth. I've probably made my decision, but I've not announced anything yet."

IRISH OPEN SET FOR KILLARNEY: Following what the title sponsors called "robust negotiations" with the European Tour, it has been confirmed that next year's 3 Irish Open will take place at Killarney on July 29-Aug. 1.

It is a change not only of venue, but also of date for the tournament won by amateur Shane Lowry at Baltray this May. Killarney previously played host in 1991 and 1992, with Nick Faldo winning both times.

"Killarney's Killeen is a magnificent course in an idyllic setting and we expect many of the world's top golfers to take part in what will be a magical weekend in one of the world's great beauty spots," said Robert Finnegan, chief executive of mobile phone company 3.

"We are delighted to have a new, improved date and our move to Killarney reflects the importance the 3 Irish Open will play in the weeks leading to the selection of the Ryder Cup team."

Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington commented: "I am 100 percent sure that the venue will be very popular with the players."

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