Rory McIlroy talked for the first time since the confirmation of his divorce from wife Erica Stoll on Tuesday and prior of the US PGA Championship at Valhalla.
Rory McIlroy declared, “I’m ready to play this week,” setting a new personal record for the quickest press conference of the season.
His pre-tournament interview at the Masters last month, as he attempted to complete his career Grand Slam, lasted less than 11 minutes. Following the announcement 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, with only seven questions.
The sixth question was, “On a personal level, how are you?” The normally talkative world number two swiftly shut down the inquiry, saying, “I’m ready to play this week.” This week should have been all about McIlroy’s chance to snap his nearly 10-year Major drought at the site of his last victory, the 2014 US PGA.
He has previously won two events. He replicated the feat last year, winning the Zurich Classic and the Wells Fargo Championships, and he entered this tournament as a favourite. McIlroy filed for divorce from his wife Erica on Tuesday, alleging the marriage was “irretrievably destroyed.”
Despite his off-course troubles, he persisted on teeing up tomorrow with “confidence” and “momentum.” McIlroy won the 2014 BMW PGA at Wentworth after announcing the termination of his engagement to Caroline Wozniacki the day before.
During his opening remarks, the four-time Major winner stated: “I feel good. Obviously had a terrific day on Sunday at a golf course that I’ve grown to enjoy over the years and have had a lot of success at, as well as returning to a place where I’ve had some previous success.
“Obviously, we get to return to Quail Hollow every year. I don’t get to come back here too often. Today was the first time I had been on the golf course in ten years, so it was a fantastic opportunity to reacquaint myself with the location.
“The golf course has changed little from ten years ago, and it is a little longer. A few tiny modifications, but mostly very much the same as I recall from ten years ago.
“But, certainly, the game feels nice after two wins, a fantastic one in New Orleans with Shane and then a really good performance last week. “Just want to keep the momentum flowing.”
McIlroy was more open about his pal Jimmy Dunne’s “concerning” resignation from the PGA Tour’s Policy Board this week. The American, who was a major figure in June’s “framework deal” with the PIF, resigned due to “no real progress” on a permanent arrangement with Saudi Arabia.
“Yeah, honestly, I think it’s a significant loss for the PGA TOUR, if they’re trying to get this deal done with the PIF and unify the game,” the Ulsterman admitted. Jimmy was essentially “the” liaison between the PGA TOUR and PIF. It’s been sad that he hasn’t been participating in the last few months, and I believe that is contributing to the current stalemate.
“So it is, it’s quite frustrating, and I believe the TOUR has suffered as a result. We will see. We’ll see where this goes and what happens next.
“I would say my faith in things getting done before last week was as low as it has ever been, and then with the news of Jimmy retiring and knowing the relationship he has with the other side, as well as the warmth there is from the other side, it’s worrying. After answering his final question, the PGA of America moderator stated, “Thank you for your time, Rory.” “We appreciate it.”
