Rory McIlroy steers clear of divorce talk at PGA Championship

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Published May 15, 2024 • 2 minute read

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland speaks to the media during a practice round prior to the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club on Wednesday. Photo by Andrew Redington /Getty Images

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Rory McIlroy stuck to golf in his first interview since news broke of his split with wife Erica Stoll during PGA Championship week at Valhalla.

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Before McIlroy met with reporters, assembled media was told that the Northern Irish star would not be making any comments on his personal life. One reporter waded close to the topic, asking McIlroy how he was doing on a personal level.

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“I’m ready to play this week,” McIlroy answered.

Keeping with a recent trend in 2024, McIlroy’s press conference lasted just 10 minutes and seven questions, nearly identical in length of time he spent in front of a microphone ahead of the Masters.

On Tuesday, TMZ reported that McIlroy had filed divorce documents in Florida on Monday, just one day after lapping the field at the Wells Fargo Championship. McIlroy arrived Tuesday at Valhalla to prepare for the season’s second major.

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The tournament was last held at the Louisville, Kentucky course in 2014 with McIlroy winning his fourth major. This year marks the 10th anniversary of his last major championship victory.

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“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,” he said. “Game feels good coming off the back of two wins, a fun one in New Orleans with Shane (Lowry), and then a really good performance last week. Just trying to keep the momentum going.”

McIlroy said he is driving the ball as well as he ever has which should be great news for him at a long, soggy Valhalla that might turn into a bomber’s paradise over the week.

“Honestly it’s probably the best driver I’ve had in the last few years,” McIlroy said of his current equipment. “I’ve really gotten comfortable with the driver, and I think some of the technical things in my swing are just a little bit better. The good drives are still very good but the bad drives aren’t as bad so the misses aren’t as wild.”

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The McIlroy that won by five strokes on Sunday at Quail Hollow looked very reminiscent to the dominant golfer that bounced across Valhalla fairways a decade ago. During one stretch on Sunday, McIlroy was eight under on eight holes, and seemingly caught the eye of his legendary friend Tiger Woods.

“Rory, just the way he’s able to take over a golf course and just overpower it, I kind of remember that back when I was younger, but it’s been awhile,” Woods said.

McIlroy begins his PGA Championship on Thursday at 8:15 a.m. with Dustin Johnson and Justin Rose.

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