Rory McIlroy’s press conference Wednesday ahead of the 2024 PGA Championship began with the host’s message to the media to avoid questions about the surprise divorce filed by his wife Erica Stoll on Monday.
Taking to the podium at Louisville’s Valhalla Golf Club, the Northern Irishman continued to discuss the season’s second major, which begins Thursday, and his win at last week’s Wells Fargo Championship.
Asked by a reporter how he was doing personally, McIlroy replied, “I’m ready to play this week.”
The 35-year-old, who won the PGA Championship in 2012 and 2014, is aiming for his fifth major victory.
Despite reports of a breakup with Stoll, McIlroy has been spotted at the practice range and on the course, as usual.
Documents were filed in Florida on Monday, indicating the two are engaged in premarital sex.
McIlroy and Stoll married in 2017 and are seeking split custody of their three-year-old daughter, Poppy.
The PGA Tour star’s camp released a statement on Tuesday saying McIlroy “will have no further comment” and “expresses Lowry’s desire to spend this difficult time as respectfully and amicably as possible.” I emphasized that.”
Ahead of Wednesday’s press conference, McIlroy was seen taking off his wedding ring during a practice round.
He is looking for a third straight win following recent victories at the Zurich Classic and Wells Fargo Championship, where he teamed with Shane Lowry.
McIlroy told Golf.com. On Sunday, he said, “Whenever there’s a lot going on, I seem to play really good golf.”
“I’ve always been able to compartmentalize pretty well. For some reason, I seem to play pretty good golf when I have a lot going on. I don’t know if that’s really necessary, but… , when you go on a course, you have to really focus on what you’re doing there. But, certainly, it seems to have an effect,” he said.
McIlroy will tee off at 8:15 a.m. Thursday with Dustin Johnson and Justin Rose.
The trio will start for the second round on Friday at 1:40 p.m.
