Rory McIlroy pulls out of GB&I Vivendi Seve Trophy team

McIlroy has been struggling with an arm injury he sustained at the US PGA Championship

US Open champion Rory McIlroy has pulled out of Great Britain and Ireland's team for the Seve Trophy.

The 22-year-old was part of the winning side two years ago and cup captain Paul McGinley had said he wanted to see as many big names as possible play.

But McIlroy said he wanted some time off before he began a run of 12 weeks on the road.

"I want to try to get two weeks at home and do a few things before I head off on that big run," said McIlroy.

Britain's Lee Westwood has yet to confirm his attendance while world number one Luke Donald, Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter, Martin Laird and Justin Rose are likely to be absent because of the FedEx Cup play-offs in America.

McIlroy is due to tee of in the first round of the European Masters in Crans-Montana, Switzerland on Thursday in his first event since injuring his right arm at the US PGA Championship earlier this month.

"Now it's not painful," he said. "It's more like a numb sensation, like if someone gives you a dead arm.

"It's nearly 100% and I'm happy with it."

The world number six has spent his recovery time in the United States with girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki, the current world number one tennis player who is currently playing in the US Open.

The pair are understood to have met when they attended the David Haye and Wladimir Klitschko fight on July 2 and McIlroy believes their new relationship can inspire him to top golf's world rankings.

Wozniacki is currently playing in the US Open while McIlroy is set to tee off in the European Masters

"It's a big goal of mine. I want to become the best player in the world," said McIlroy.

"I think we definitely spur each other on. She's number one in the world and I've got a major and we sort of both want what each other have.

"She's got a great work ethic and it's something I can probably learn a lot from

"It's a lot more physically demanding than golf. They do put the work in, they really do.

"It's just amazing how they can get up each morning and keep doing the same thing, putting their bodies through that."

McIlroy added the couple were taking their relationship "a day at a time" considering their hectic tournament schedules for the remainder of the season.