AKRON, Ohio — U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy loves playing in America so much that wants to join the PGA Tour again.

McIlroy spoke to PGA Tour officials Wednesday morning and said he was leaning toward taking up his tour card next season, meaning he would play at least 15 events on the PGA Tour in 2012.

The 22-year-old from Northern Ireland said he would start looking for a place to live in Florida — either Orlando or the West Palm Beach area — after the PGA Championship next week.

“I feel I play my best golf over here,” McIlroy said. “I’m very comfortable in this country. Yeah, I’m definitely looking toward coming back and playing a full schedule.”

McIlroy, one of the brightest young stars in golf, gave up his PGA Tour membership after 2010, saying he wasn’t interested in the travel involved to play on the PGA and European tours, and that the FedEx Cup playoffs — a big incentive to join the PGA Tour — was too much golf at the end of the summer.

He has three career wins, the biggest two in America — a 62 in the final round at Quail Hollow in 2010, and his record-setting performance in soft conditions at Congressional to win the U.S. Open by eight shots at 16-under 268.

McIlroy struggled in wind at the British Open, however, and said after his final round that he doesn’t enjoy playing in such conditions. “I’d rather play when it’s 80 degrees and sunny and not much wind,” he said at Royal St. George’s.

Andy Pazder, the tour’s chief of operations, said McIlroy spoke to tour officials without giving them a final decision. McIlroy has until Nov. 22 — or 30 days after the PGA Tour season ends at Disney — to apply.

“He certainly gave a strong indication,” said Pazder.