Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy has confirmed he will play at the British Masters next week after failing to qualify for this weekend’s Tour Championship in the USA.

The world number eight had been hoping to feature overseas but his recent poor performances have seen him miss out on qualification.

McIlroy dropped down two places in the latest world rankings after so far failing to register a win in 2017.

The four-time major winner has continued to struggle with injuries and also changed his caddy earlier this summer.

He will now play in Northumberland next week before taking part in the Dunhill Links Championship.

England’s Lee Westwood will be the tournament host at the British Masters and McIlroy will be joined by 2017 Masters winner Sergio Garcia.

McIlroy told the European Tour’s official website: “Teeing it up next week gives me one more chance to end 2017 on a high.

I kind of had it in the back of my mind that if I didn’t make the Tour Championship then there was a chance to tee it up at Close House.

“I know what it’s like to be a tournament host so I know how much the British Masters means to Lee this year.”

McIlroy has only played 16 events so far this season after a rib injury caused him to withdraw from multiple events.

After failing to deliver at the BMW Championship, he will now miss out on the Tour Championship and his absence will be a boost to pre-tournament favourite Jordan Spieth.

The American is 6.00 to win the event, with Dustin Johnson just behind him at 8.50.