Rory McIlroy considering World Cup appearance after switch to Melbourne PROUD Northern Irishman . . . Rory McIlroy may play in Melbourne's World Cup. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images THE lure of Royal Melbourne and the chance to represent Northern Ireland instead of Ireland may spark a World Cup change of heart for Rory McIlroy. McIlroy said two weeks ago he would not be playing in the World Cup of Golf this year, possibly because if he were to represent Ireland at the World Cup, he would have no choice but to play under the Irish flag in the 2016 Olympics. But the announcement at the weekend that the World Cup was going to Royal Melbourne under a new format piqued his interest. Northern Ireland, for the first time, can field its own team. "That might change things a little bit," McIlroy said before leaving the TPC Sawgrass. Graeme McDowell certainly hopes so. "I need my partner in crime in Melbourne," he said. Regardless whether Rory wants to play or not, I want to play this year. If it works, I'd like him to be there, as well. But we'll see. McDowell spoke before he was aware of the change in format, and that Northern Ireland can choose to have its own team. Padraig Harrington smiled when told that Northern Ireland could have its own team. "It suits me," he said. Harrington is the highest-ranked player from Ireland. Players and countries are selected from the world ranking until the 60-man field is set. There likely will be no more than about 18 teams at the event, which runs November 21-24. Masters champion Adam Scott has already declared he's ready to spearhead the Australian team at the revamped World Cup tournament. "It's fantastic that a World Golf Championship style event will be in Australia again," Scott said. It's been great fields the last few years it has been played in China and hopefully it can draw some great players down to Australia.