It’s been 10 years since Rory McIlroy won the PGA Championship. However, the Northern Irishman will return to Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, aiming to win the Wanamaker Trophy for the third time in his career.
However, McIlroy’s personal life was thrust into the spotlight this week after he filed for divorce from his wife, Erica Stoll.
Four-time major champion McIlroy held a pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday, but before taking questions from reporters, the host made it clear that McIlroy would not take any questions about his pending divorce.
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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland watches from the fifth tee during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia on April 12, 2024. (Andrew Reddington/Getty Images)
“I’m sure you all saw the statement from Lowry’s communications team yesterday specifically that he would not be commenting further on his personal life. So, we thank you for respecting his wishes,” the host told McIlroy’s media. I mentioned this at the beginning of the response.
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The statement the host referred to was released by McIlroy’s camp on Tuesday. In a statement, the professional golfer said he “will not be commenting further” and “underscored Lowry’s desire to spend this difficult time as respectfully and amicably as possible.”
Europe’s Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica after their singles match on the final day of the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome. (Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
The media session focused almost exclusively on McIlroy’s golf game and the buzz surrounding his second major of the year. At one point, McIlroy was asked how he was doing personally, to which the 35-year-old replied: “I’m ready to play this week.”
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on as he plays the ninth hole during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 9, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
The press conference was longer than expected, with McIlroy answering questions from the podium for about 20 minutes.
McIlroy seems to be staying focused even in the midst of personal turmoil. McIlroy and Stoll have been married for the past seven years and have a 3-year-old daughter. McIlroy was spotted doing a practice round before Wednesday’s media session, but his ring was noticeably missing.
McIlroy finished tied for 22nd at the Masters Tournament in April, but has since won his last two tournaments, the Zurich Classic and Wells Fargo Championship.
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McIlroy said last week. golf dot com He tends to “play really good golf whenever there’s a lot going on.”
“I’ve always been able to compartmentalize pretty well. I just seem to play really good golf, for some reason, whenever I have a lot going on. I don’t know if that’s really necessary. “It’s not always necessary for me to be on the course and really focus on what I’m doing. But it seems to be working,” he said.
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