No matter what Rory McIlroy does for the rest of his golfing career, Congressional Country Club will always hold a special place in his heart.

Site of his historic 2011 U.S. Open victory, you’d figure McIlroy would jump at the chance to play a tour event at the course in the near future.

But despite what some might think, that doesn’t seem to be the case, after the Ulsterman announced he’ll be skipping out on the AT&T National at Congressional for the chance to play the Irish Open.

“There has been a lot of speculation on whether or not I will play the Irish Open next year, so I am happy to announce that I will definitely play the tournament next season,” McIlroy said in a release. “For me, the Irish Open has always been, and will continue to be, one of the most important events on the global golf calendar.”

Despite taking up membership on the PGA Tour in 2012, it’s clear McIlroy’s decision to pass on playing at Congressional had everything to do with him not wanting to miss out on playing in his national open … and the possibility of a nice appearance check for passing on one of the tour’s biggest events.

The good news for McIlroy is Congressional is scheduled to host the AT&T National event for the next three years, so he’ll other opportunities to play the course in the future. That’s assuming, of course, it doesn’t get scheduled the same week as the Irish Open.

The Holidays are here, and that means it is time to rack your brain to find that gift for some of the hardest people in the world to buy for; golfers. No worries though, because we have you covered. From the random wine gadgets to the newest in putters, we present you with our 2011 Holiday gift guide. Buy ‘em, enjoy ‘em, and thank us later.

Kentwool Golf Socks — Everyone gets socks in their stockings, so why not get them the most comfortable ones I’ve ever wrapped my feet in? The Kentwool socks are focused on golf, and are so good they already have Bubba Watson, Matt Kuchar and Ryan O’Toole on board. The best part is, they’re so comfortable you’ll wear them even when not golfing. A must for anybody looking for an easy present for someone that hits the links regularly. www.kentwoolsocks.com – $19.95

Ping’s new Anser Milled Putters (plus iPing app) – Talk about using technology to your advantage, Ping decided that they might as well jump in the iPhone app business, and boy was it a hit. The iPing app is free to download, and after attached to your putter ($29.95), will analyze your stoke as you’re putting, and set you up with the best putter choice the company has. The Anser milled putters are absolutely beautiful and perform as great as they look, so get that special someone on the iPing app, figure out the best putter for them, and order away. www.ping.com — $299

adidas Climalite Warm FP Half-Zip — One of my favorite clothing items I’ve ever received, this jacket is just sharp. Trust me when I say, any man in the world would love to have this on the golf course. www.adidasgolf.com — $60

Fan Mats by Tour Links — Have someone in your life with an office, a putter, but nothing more than just cups to putt at? Get them this great idea by Tour Links, a putting green with their favorite team imprinted in the middle. They offer NCAA teams, NFL teams and will even throw your corporate logo on there if you’d like, and all the different styles will definitely make it easy to fit in an office or den. www.tourlinks.net — From $549

Botskis Wine/Beer Bottle Ties — This is a cute and fun idea for anybody that likes golf and alcohol. It’s a bottle tie for your wine and beer bottles! It’s simple, cheap and a fun stocking stuffer, and they come in golf themes, among other sports. www.botskis.com — $7.99

Nike Vapor X Carry Bag — Two things every golfer can always use, a new bag and new grips. This time, it’s the former, and the new Nike Vapor X bags are really, really sweet. Lightweight (under four pounds), durable and it comes in seven different unique colors (from all blue to pink), it’s the perfect bag to stand out on the course. www.nikegolf.com — $230

American Flag Headcovers by AB Golf Design — If you have someone like my dad in your family who loves stuff emblazoned with the red, white and blue, these all-leather headcovers are perfect. Also, an added bonus; a lot of the Presidents Cup folks sported these exact same club covers in Australia. www.abgolfdesigns.com — $70

Travis Mathew Polo Club Membership — No, it isn’t really something “in hand,” but the idea is brilliant if you have a fashion-forward golfer in mind. The up-and-coming clothing company has come up with a cool idea with this Polo Club, offering discounted shirts before they’re available to the public, six polos a year at a discounted price and additional items in each order they make. If you know someone that likes shopping and buying sharp clothes, this is a great idea. www.travismathew.com — $395

Photo Ball Markers — The only repeat visitor from last year, but that’s because it really is one of the better gift ideas I’ve ever seen. You upload whatever pictures you want on the site, fit them to the ball markers, press order, and Bam, you have a brilliant gift idea for anyone. I’ve sent these to just about everyone that had something big happen to them this year and everyone absolutely loves them. www.photoballmarker.com — 3 for $24.95

Welcome to Teeing Off, where Devil Ball editor Jay Busbee and head writer Shane Bacon take a day’s topic and smack it all over the course. Suggest a future topic by writing jay.busbee@yahoo.com, or hit us on Twitter at @jaybusbee and @shanebacon. Today, we’re talking about the endless sport of golf, and if it really could use an offseason at some point in the year.

Busbee: Look, we all love golf. It’s why we’re reading (and, in our case, writing) about it while we’re not actually playing it. But does the sport need more of a true offseason? We’re less than five weeks from the start of the 2012 PGA Tour season. Hell, we’re barely a WEEK from the start of the 2012 European Tour season. There are only a finite number of weekends in the year, and I get that, but you know the old cliche about absence making the heart grow fonder. Does golf need to take a little more time off so we can miss it more?

Bacon: While I think you make a good point that time away might make us want to snuggle up to the game even more, I actually think it is one of the few sports that can do this and get away with it. Not everybody plays in every event, so we do get a chance to miss some of the bigger names. While this fall has seemed a bit excessive in terms of big names playing (China, Australia, Presidents Cup, Chevron), this is about the time when golf dies down for a few weeks before picking back up. What I would like to see? The events, like Chevron, Presidents Cup and Omega, moved to late September or even October. Give us November and December to dazzle in the occasional random event that’s fun to watch and give the European Tour more exposure. It needs it, right?

Busbee: We’ve talked before about the idea of “event fatigue,” and that’s exactly what’s going on now with all these events hitting at the same time. This, I guess, is the price we pay for a global game (and if “price we pay” = more golf, that is seriously a #1stworldproblem). I’d love to see the European Tour get some more exposure, especially some of the characters that are on that Tour, but it’s like soccer — no matter how much the rest of the world loves it, until these players come stateside they’re effectively invisible.

Put bluntly, though: are there too many golf tournaments?

Bacon: Yes. Too many. I think that’s one of the funny things about the Omega people complaining about the World Cup being on when it’s on. There isn’t any other time to have that tournament! Where is it going? Fall Series? West Coast Swing? Summer? I actually thought stateside the event did well because it was on so late. But yes, to your initial question, too many golf tournaments and too many random events. (honestly, what is this Chevron event anyway? Does anyone know? It’s just there.)

But, this is a business of independent contractors, and I’m sure they love the availability of golf tournaments year-round because it means more bucks in their pockets.

Busbee: And it keeps us busy, too. Shoot, it’s better than writing about lockouts or drafts.

I worry about the game’s future as a spectator sport just because there’s so much noise; outside the majors, it’s just a constant din for the casual fan. All of the events and swings and tours we’ve mentioned here are mind-boggling to a fan who’s accustomed to one sport, a few divisions, a playoff to settle it all. Still, the flip side of that is that if people want to tune in for just the Big Four, let ‘em. The best will find their way to the top regardless.

Bacon: And the good thing is, a year-round schedule gives John Daly more chances to withdraw! Win-win.

Now your thoughts … is golf too long of a season, or is it fine the way it is?

Every time you tee it up, there’s a chance that this will be the best round of your life. And every time you start a tournament, there’s a chance that this will be the best four days of your life. And if you’re very lucky, those four days will happen on the grandest of stages.

Such a confluence of happiness occurred for Michael Campbell in 2005 at Pinehurst. He carded a final-round 69 to hold off Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia and take advantage of Retief Goosen‘s utter collapse. But so what? He won the damn tournament. Fame and fortune would await soon afterward, right?

Not quite. Campbell slid steadily downhill, to the point that his world ranking now sits at 731. And he conceded that in recent times, he even considered giving up the game entirely at age 42.

“I can’t imagine not playing golf,” Campbell said in advance of this weekend’s New Zealand Open, according to the AP. “I considered giving up and asked myself if I still wanted to win. I slept on it and the answer was, yes, I do. I love it so much. I love competing. I love winning golf tournaments. If I felt I could not compete or win again, I would throw it away. Deep down inside I am not a quitter. For me personally I am not ready [to quit] yet.”

He’s taken on Australian coach Gary Edwin to help him with his swing, and he notes that his stats are up for the first time since 2005. And while he hasn’t made the cut in a major since the 2008 PGA Championship, he’s hopeful that better times are ahead.

Then again, aren’t we all? But even if his day in the golf spotlight is done, he’s still got that U.S. Open trophy. Not a bad consolation prize, yes?

When the news first broke that John Daly had himself a “Tin Cup” moment and walked off the course at the Australian Open having run out of balls, let’s just say that nobody was particularly surprised. After all, Daly has a bit of a rep, to put it mildly; the guy is at the point in his career where he could take a bite out of a greenside bunny rabbit and nobody would be particularly shocked.

The particulars are here, but suffice it to say that Daly melted down after first hitting the wrong ball out of a bunker and then pounding balls into a lake. And, as he explained this week in advance of the Hong Kong Open, via Reuters, he shouldn’t be the only one to share the blame.

He focused on the 10th hole, where he hit that wrong ball. And here’s the thing: it was a freaking range ball.

“The question I keep asking is, what were range balls doing in the bunkers out on the championship golf course?” he said. “When I got to the bunker I thought it was my ball. I’m using Srixon balls and the balls on the range were also Srixon. Everybody complimented me, saying ‘great shot’ but when I get up there [to the green], my caddy wiped the ball and threw it back to me but it wasn’t my ball.”

Daly conceded that he hasn’t exactly made it easy on himself in Australia: “I accept if you look at my past competing in Australia that the way I was treated was not harsh,” he said, “but if they were to have looked at really what went on at the 10th hole then it was harsh.”

He also tried to clarify that he didn’t “storm off” the course, but rather “walked off,” and added that while he was booted from the Australian PGA, he’s still allowed to play in the country. He took a shot at Robert Allenby over a 2008 incident in which Daly smashed a fan’s camera — “He defended me saying I did the right thing but then when he speaks to the press he says exactly the opposite” — and added that he’ll still keep playing as long as sponsors will have him.

And his fans will continue to turn out. At least now they know now to catch him in the early rounds … you know, just in case.

So here’s a bit of a conundrum for a professional golfer: Jason Day wants to honor one of his late father’s final wishes by spreading his ashes at Augusta National. But if there was ever a course that would frown on such a display, it would be Augusta.

Day’s father died of cancer when Day was just 12 years old but already a notable golfer. Alvyn Day asked his son to spread some of his ashes at Augusta if he were ever fortunate enough to play there. Not only has Day played at Augusta, he’s played quite well; he placed second to Charl Schwartzel earlier this year.

“It’s a plan but obviously if I don’t get clearance from Augusta, I am not going to do it,” Day said in Australia, according to an AP report. “That was one of my dad’s wishes and if I was allowed to do it, that would be great. Obviously, I know how the rules are at Augusta, it would be probably very unlikely, but we will see how it goes.”

Day made the classic mistake here of asking for permission rather than forgiveness. Many a fan has dumped ashes onto sacred sporting grounds, from college football stadiums to Wrigley Field. And while videos are hard to come by, the one common element is that the dumpers seem to have no real idea how far and wide ashes can spread when dumped. A coating of ashes would have a brief but significant impact on the playability of Amen Corner, no doubt.

So perhaps Day ought to go stealth. He’ll have cameras on him all the time, so he’d need to do it during a practice round. Or he could do it LeBron James style, scattering his father’s ashes to the wind with a dramatic hands-to-the-sky gesture. Either way, it’s a fine and appropriate way to remember and honor the man who got him started in this game.

This is it, folks: We’ve reached the final stage of PGA Tour Qualifying School. For a lucky few, six grueling rounds of golf will culminate with a tour card and spot back in the big leagues next year. For the rest? Well, this is where the road ends.

Of course, there are a bunch of big names in the field this week — Lee Janzen, David Duval and Boo Weekley come to mind — but as we’ve seen in the past, Q-School doesn’t play favorites.

It doesn’t matter if you have a major championship or haven’t played in a PGA Tour event before; you’ll have to grind it out for 108 holes for your card. It’s just one of the reasons to love Q-School.

With that in mind, here are a couple storylines to watch over the next six days.

Can Bobby Gates get past the heartache? Finishing No. 126 on the PGA Tour’s Money List is rough. Sure, you still make a nice chunk of money, but for everyone outside the top 125 cutoff, you lose full-time status for the following year on tour.

Bobby Gates learned a tough lesson in his first year on tour, coming up one putt short of securing the 125th spot. All of the guys on tour are mentally strong, but you have to wonder if Gates can push through the late season heartache and make a return in 2012.

Ty Tryon gives it another go: The rush of teeing it up at the final stage of Q-School is nothing new for Tryon. He became the youngest player, at the age of 17, in the tour’s history to earn his card via Q-School back in 2001.

He was supposed to be a phenom. But instead of making his mark, his career fell into a tailspin that saw him fall off the golf map. After bouncing between the Gateway Tour and NGA Hooters Tour, he finally has a second chance staring him in the face.

Can major champs make a comeback? Rich Beem, David Duval and Lee Janzen are just three of the golfers teeing it up this week at PGA West. The only difference between them and the rest of the guys in the field is that each has a major championship trophy sitting in their home.

Q-School is the only event where even the major champions get treated like regular joes for six days. After years of getting the royal treatment, all three will have to earn their way back onto the PGA Tour.

Arnold Palmer will be watching this week: “The King” will be keeping a close eye on the Q-School leader board, as Palmer’s grandson, Sam Saunders, will be vying for an exempt spot.

Saunders made eight starts on tour this past year, making the cut in two of them. There’s been a lot of talk recently about Saunders getting exemptions due to his connection with Palmer. Finding a way to secure his card would validate those exemptions, and make the tour chatter disappear.

Keep an eye on Adam Hadwin: Want to know something incredible? Adam Hadwin is the highest ranked Canadian golfer in the world. Forget Mike Weir, Hadwin, at No. 238 in the World Rankings, is the guy. And he just barely made it into the Q-School field.

Thanks to a change in the tour’s rules, Hadwin was able to secure a spot in the final stage of Q-School. You have to look out for the guys with luck on their side, and based on the way things have gone for Hadwin, nobody would be surprised if he made some noise over the next six days.

Ginger Howard hasn’t even celebrated her 18th birthday, but if she somehow manages to make it through the final stage of LPGA Q-School and secure her card for 2012, there’s a good chance she won’t be asking for any presents for her birthday in March.

That’s because she’s on the verge of getting the biggest gift of all: full-time status on the LPGA Tour. If Howard does qualify, she would not only become the second youngest golfer on the LPGA — 16-year-old Lexi Thompson currently holds that title — but only the fifth African-American member since the tour was formed back in 1980.

Since Lexi Thompson petitioned the LPGA for the opportunity to become a fully exempt member earlier this year — tour rules state you must be at least 18 — and was granted the opportunity by commissioner Mike Whan to qualify via Q-School, the rules have certainly changed.

Thompson went on to win the first stage of Q-School by 10 shots before winning the Navistar Classic to bypass qualifying, but the uproar over her exclusion certainly opened some doors for other players to capitalize on her recent success.

Howard happens to be one of them. Like Lexi, she’s far from your average teen phenom. The 17-year-old had five victories on the Sun Coast Series women’s mini-tour this summer and also took home medalist honors at the second stage of LPGA Q-School.

There’s a reason Mike Whan granted her special permission to play at Q-School. Howard has all the talent in the world; the only thing separating her from making the dream a reality is 90 holes of golf. It’s time to see how her young nerves handle the pressure.

[Via Golfweek]

Say this for Rory McIlroy: the kid knows how to keep himself in the headlines, one way or another.

McIlroy and tennis star Caroline Wozniacki have been an item for a few months now, long enough to craft their own nauseatingly cute couple-nickname: “Wozzilroy.” And they’ve been connecting on a professional level, too, with each one spurring the other on to competitive heights.

“When Caroline and I might discuss our own sport, I am very interested in how she prepares herself for the mental side of big tennis tournaments like how she goes about setting goals or whatever,” McIlroy told the Irish Times. “That sort of discussion gives me a good insight into how she deals with similar issues I might face.”

But even though they’ve given each other’s sport a whirl, with Wozniacki faring better at golf than McIlroy at tennis, that isn’t the only thing that connects them. “Improving my tennis game is not the reason we spend time together,” he said. “I will let her focus on the tennis and I will stick with golf.”

At the other end of the spectrum, you’ve got McIlroy’s ex, Holly Sweeney. For awhile, she and Rory were quite the couple, but just weeks after he credited her with inspiring his landmark U.S. Open win, she was out the door in favor of Wozniacki. So you can forgive her for being a touch bitter, can’t you?

Exactly how bitter is the question, and here’s your answer: She threw a “golf pros, tennis hoes” party in Ireland as part of a TV series called “Celebrity Come Dine With Me.” (Visor tip: Dogs via Larry Brown Sports.) McIlroy apparently tried to get her not to go through with it, but it’ll be airing in December. And oh, we’ll bring you video as soon as we get it.

Keep on rollin’, Rory. You’re making golf as much fun outside the ropes as in.