Rory McIlroy issues six-word response about his mindset following divorce bombshell

Rory McIlroy made a succinct statement about his mindset following the confirmation of his divorce from wife Erica Stoll, expressing readiness for the upcoming US PGA Championship at Valhalla. Notably, this marked his shortest press conference of the season, lasting a mere nine minutes and 20 seconds with just seven questions asked. When queried about his personal well-being, McIlroy promptly redirected the focus to his golf, stating, “I’m ready to play this week.” This week was supposed to revolve around McIlroy’s pursuit of completing his career Grand Slam at the Masters, but the recent divorce news overshadowed it.

Despite the off-course turmoil, McIlroy remains confident and determined, drawing parallels to his past successes amidst personal challenges. His recent victories at the Zurich Classic and Wells Fargo Championships further fueled his optimism heading into the US PGA Championship. Reflecting on his return to Valhalla, a venue where he tasted victory in 2014, McIlroy expressed familiarity with the course, albeit noting a few changes since his last visit a decade ago.

While McIlroy acknowledged the personal upheaval, he appeared more inclined to discuss the resignation of his friend Jimmy Dunne from the PGA Tour’s Policy Board. Dunne’s departure, attributed to the lack of progress in negotiations with the Saudis despite the June agreement, was deemed “concerning” by McIlroy. Despite external distractions, McIlroy remains focused on maintaining his momentum and competitiveness on the golf course.