Golf: World No.2 Rory McIlroy shrugs off private-life turmoil for return to PGA Championship at Valhalla

Despite turmoil in his private life, Rory McIlroy says his game is in great shape heading into this week's PGA Championship and he is focused on ending his 10-year Major drought.

McIlroy's press conference began with a warning that the world No.2 would not answer questions related to his shock announcement that he was ending his seven-year marriage and had filed for divorce.

Upheaval off the course has had no impact on it, as McIlroy blazed into Louisville riding the momentum from back-to-back wins that have made the Northern Irishman second favourite, behind world No.1 and new dad Scottie Scheffler.

McIlroy has tuned up for the year's second Major, teaming up with Shane Lowry to win the Zurich Classic and then steamrolling to a five-shot victory over Olympic champion Xander Schauffele to pick up his fourth career win at Quail Hollow.

"I feel good," assured the four-time Major winner. "Game feels good coming off the back of two wins, a fun one in New Orleans with Shane and then a really good performance last week.

"Just trying to keep the momentum going. I think it's all about confidence and momentum, and I have a lot of confidence and quite a bit of momentum coming into this week."

After his victory at the Wells Fargo, McIlroy said it seemed like the stars were aligning for him to end a decade-long Majors drought, which began with his win at the 2014 PGA Championship that was also played at this week's venue - the Valhalla Golf Club.

He had just broken off an engagement with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, claiming he wasn't ready for marriage. The following year, he became engaged to Erica Stoll, whom he married in 2017.

They had a baby daughter Poppy in 2020.

Much has changed for McIlroy and Valhalla over those 10 years. He was unmarried and golf's hottest player when he won in August 2014, and a decade later, he returns as a father headed for divorce and facing a longer, challenging layout.

"Today was the first time I was on the golf course since 10 years ago, so it was good to refamiliarise myself with the place," said McIlroy. "The golf course is a little different than it was 10 years ago, a little longer.

"I think this is a golf course that allows you to play with freedom, because it's a big golf course. The corridors are wide, not too dissimilar to last week at Quail Hollow, so you can open your shoulders up off the tee and try to take your chances from there."

Asked how he was holding up, McIlroy is unwilling to take the bait and open up about his divorce replying: "I'm ready to play this week." 

Reuters

Despite turmoil in his private life, Rory McIlroy says his game is in great shape heading into this week's PGA Championship and he is focused on ending his 10-year Major drought.

McIlroy's press conference began with a warning that the world No.2 would not answer questions related to his shock announcement that he was ending his seven-year marriage and had filed for divorce.

Upheaval off the course has had no impact on it, as McIlroy blazed into Louisville riding the momentum from back-to-back wins that have made the Northern Irishman second favourite, behind world No.1 and new dad Scottie Scheffler.

McIlroy has tuned up for the year's second Major, teaming up with Shane Lowry to win the Zurich Classic and then steamrolling to a five-shot victory over Olympic champion Xander Schauffele to pick up his fourth career win at Quail Hollow.

"I feel good," assured the four-time Major winner. "Game feels good coming off the back of two wins, a fun one in New Orleans with Shane and then a really good performance last week.

"Just trying to keep the momentum going. I think it's all about confidence and momentum, and I have a lot of confidence and quite a bit of momentum coming into this week."

After his victory at the Wells Fargo, McIlroy said it seemed like the stars were aligning for him to end a decade-long Majors drought, which began with his win at the 2014 PGA Championship that was also played at this week's venue - the Valhalla Golf Club.

He had just broken off an engagement with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, claiming he wasn't ready for marriage. The following year, he became engaged to Erica Stoll, whom he married in 2017.

They had a baby daughter Poppy in 2020.

Much has changed for McIlroy and Valhalla over those 10 years. He was unmarried and golf's hottest player when he won in August 2014, and a decade later, he returns as a father headed for divorce and facing a longer, challenging layout.

"Today was the first time I was on the golf course since 10 years ago, so it was good to refamiliarise myself with the place," said McIlroy. "The golf course is a little different than it was 10 years ago, a little longer.

"I think this is a golf course that allows you to play with freedom, because it's a big golf course. The corridors are wide, not too dissimilar to last week at Quail Hollow, so you can open your shoulders up off the tee and try to take your chances from there."

Asked how he was holding up, McIlroy is unwilling to take the bait and open up about his divorce replying: "I'm ready to play this week." 

Reuters

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