McIlroy pulls out of Turkish Open after terror attacks

Rory McIlroy was due to play at the Turkish Open this week. REUTERS/Aly Song

Rory McIlroy has withdrawn from this week's Turkish Open following recent terrorist rocket attacks.

The world number two informed European Tour officials of the decision on Saturday.

McIlroy did not give a reason for withdrawing, but it is understood he has security concerns surrounding the first of the three Final Series events.

The golfing ace had spoken of his desire to win at least one of the tour's last three events this season in Shanghai, Turkey and Dubai. However, a third consecutive Race to Dubai title now looks out of his hands.

Read more: Rory McIlroy withdraws from €6.5million Turkish Open following recent rocket attacks

The €6.5m Turkish Airlines Open will be held at Regnum Carya Golf and Spa Resort in Antalya. The event was called into question earlier this month after rocket attacks in the tourist region. Turkish media reported that two rockets were fired - one hitting a fishing company storage house from a mountainous area near Antalya.

An explosion in a car parked outside the Antalya Trade and Industry Chamber also injured around a dozen people last Tuesday.

"We respect all decisions made by our members in relation to competing in tournaments," a spokesman for the European Tour said after McIlroy's withdrawal.

Irish Independent