Despite filing divorce papers just days before the US PGA Championship, Rory McIlroy has asserted that he is prepared to compete at Valhalla and is fully focused on his golf game.
The Northern Irish golfer, aged 35, initiated divorce proceedings with his wife of seven years, Erica, in a court near their Florida home. This news, which came as a surprise to the golfing community, coincided with McIlroy’s bid to end a decade-long drought in major championships, aiming to replicate his 2014 victory at Valhalla.
McIlroy arrives at the Kentucky course with a strong sense of confidence and momentum, having won his last two PGA Tour events, the Zurich Classic and Wells Fargo. Expectations are high for a showdown between McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, the world number one, who also enters the tournament on the back of recent victories at the Masters and RBC Heritage.
While Scheffler has had the added joy of becoming a father, McIlroy’s focus has been on his impending divorce. During his pre-tournament news conference, McIlroy requested not to field questions about his personal life, stating simply, “I’m ready to play this week.”
isn’t the first time McIlroy has faced personal challenges amidst a major tournament. In 2014, he won the BMW PGA Championship just days after ending his engagement to Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki. Subsequently, he went on to clinch The Open, the WGC-Bridgestone Championship, and the US PGA at Valhalla, marking a remarkable feat in his career.
Returning to the Louisville course after a decade, McIlroy expressed familiarity with the layout while acknowledging minor changes. Buoyed by his recent successes and a sense of confidence in his game, McIlroy aims to maintain his momentum throughout the tournament, starting his opening round on Thursday afternoon.
Despite the personal distractions, McIlroy’s focus remains on the game. With a strong finish at last week’s Wells Fargo tournament, where he dominated the field with a scintillating final round, McIlroy’s confidence is well-founded as he seeks to add another major title to his illustrious career.
