McIlroy likely to play more than the minimum required events in 2012

U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy still hasn't figured out his 2012 schedule when he takes up PGA Tour membership, although it doesn't sound as though he's going to play the bare minimum tournaments required.

"My guess is he might play more anyway," said Chubby Chandler, his agent at International Sports Management.

There will be a few changes. Chandler said McIlroy likely will not play the Northern Trust Open at Riviera, which he did two years ago when he was a PGA Tour member. He also plans to swap out the Memorial, hosted by Jack Nicklaus, for the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. McIlroy finished fifth at Muirfield Village, but it was his third straight week before a major.

"We'll write a letter to Mr. Nicklaus, and Mr. Palmer will be really happy, won't he?" Chandler said. "But I think Rory feels a responsibility as a U.S. Open champion to play more."

Depending on how he fares, McIlroy won't have to play all four FedExCup events. After all, two of the four champions wound up missing the first playoff event -- Tiger Woods in 2007 because he didn't enter, and Jim Furyk last year because he was disqualified for missing his pro-am time.

Chandler said Masters champion Charl Schwartzel won't be playing the Barclays next week.

"Until the PGA Tour works out a (points) system that entices the guys to play, they won't take advantage of it," Chandler said.