Rory McIlroy said today he had decided to join the US Tour next year because he chose to “listen to my own heart” - and to Indian golfer Jeev Milkha Singh.

The 20-year-old from Co Down, poised this week to become the youngest European Tour number one since Seve Ballesteros in 1976, sought the advice of stablemates Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood and also manager Andrew Chandler.

But it was after having lunch with Singh at the Volvo World Match Play three weeks ago that made up his mind on America.

“Lee and Darren have tried playing there and it didn’t really work out for them,” he said. “They would rather stay in Europe and I want to venture out.

“They were giving me advice based on their past experiences. Jeev said ‘Do you want to play over there?’ and I said I love it.”

It will be not a dramatic change in his schedule because he is retaining European Tour membership and may need to add only four events in the States.

“Most of the ones I will be playing will have Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Steve Stricker (the current world top three) and I want to challenge myself against the best.

“I think I will become a better player.”