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Rory McIlroy spoke for the first time since news of his divorce from wife Erica Stoll was confirmed on Tuesday and ahead of the US PGA Championship at Valhalla
Rory McIlroyclaimed: “I’m ready to play this week” while setting a new personal best for his shortest press conference of the season.
Before his latest attempt to complete his career Grand Slam at the Masters last month, his pre-tournament chat lasted under 11 minutes. Following the news of his divorce this week – and a request not to ask any questions about his personal life – he was in and out of the media tent in nine minutes and 20 seconds and after just seven questions.
The sixth question was: “On a personal level, how are you doing?” The usually loquacious world No.2 immediately shut down the enquiry by stating: “I’m ready to play this week.” This week should have been about McIlroy’s great chance to end his near 10-year Major drought on the site of his last win at the 2014 US PGA.
Back then he had won his previous two events. He had repeated the feat this year by winning the Zurich Classic and Wells Fargo Championships and arrived here among the favourites. Then on Tuesday it was revealed that McIlroy had filed for divorce from his wife Erica claiming the marriage was “irretrievably broken”.
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Despite all his off-course turmoil, he insisted he will still tee up tomorrow with “confidence” and “momentum”. And when McIlroy announced the end of his engagement with Caroline Wozniacki the day before the 2014 BMW PGA at Wentworth, he won the tournament.
Speaking in his opening remarks, the four-time Major winner said: “I feel good. Obviously had a great day on Sunday at a golf course that I’ve grown to love over the years and had a lot of success at, coming to a venue where I’ve had some success at before as well.
“Obviously get to go back to Quail Hollow every year. Don’t really get to come back here too much. Today was the first time I was on the golf course since ten years ago, so it was good to refamiliarise myself with the place.
Rory McIlroy is not wearing his wedding ring
Rory McIlroy has stopped wearing his wedding ring ( Image: Getty Images)
“The golf course is a little different than it was ten years ago, a little longer. A couple little minor changes but for the most part pretty much the same that I can remember from ten years ago.
“But yeah, look, 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.”
McIlroy was keener to talk about the “concerning” resignation of his friend Jimmy Dunne from the PGA Tour’s Policy Board this week. The American, one of the key men behind June’s “framework agreement” with the PIF, quit because “no meaningful progress” had been made on a permanent accord with the Saudis.
Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll are getting a divorce ( Image: Getty Images)
“Yeah, honestly I think it’s a huge loss for the PGA TOUR, if they are trying to get this deal done with the PIF and trying to unify the game,” said the Ulsterman. Jimmy was basically “the” relationship, the sort of conduit between the PGA TOUR and PIF. It’s been really unfortunate that he has not been involved for the last few months, and I think part of the reason that everything is stalling at the minute is because of that.
“So it is, it’s really, really disappointing, and you know, I think the TOUR is in a worse place because of it. We’ll see. We’ll see where it goes from here and we’ll see what happens.
“I would say my confidence level on something getting done before last week was as low as it had been and then with this news of Jimmy resigning and knowing the relationship he has with the other side, and how much warmth there is from the other side, it’s concerning. After fielding his last question, the PGA of America moderator said: “Thanks for your time, Rory. We appreciate it.”
