After learning about Rory McIlroy’s divorce, three-time major winner Padraig Harrington speculates about how the golfer would perform at the US PGA.
After shockingly revealing his divorce on Monday, Padraig Harrington thinks Rory McIlroy’s attempt to win a major championship at this week’s US PGA might go one of two very different ways.
The 52-year-old three-time major champion Harrington thinks Valhalla might serve as a sort of “haven” for McIlroy in light of the recent reports that he has “filed for divorce” from his wife Erica Stoll.
Poppy is the couple’s little daughter, and McIlroy and Stoll were joined in marriage in 2017.
According to TMZ, the reasons for the split were not disclosed right away. We have requested a statement from McIlroy’s lawyer, but we have not heard anything as of yet.”
Even though McIlroy has recorded back-to-back victories on the PGA Tour, Harrington expressed optimism that the player may find some “clarity” this week when speaking to the Irish Independent on the eve of the second major of the season.
However, the Irishman also believes that if McIlroy’s mind is not fully focused on the game this week, he might find things a little “uncomfortable” out there.
Harrington has witnessed firsthand how things can go wrong for teammates who have encountered off-course difficulties throughout competition in the past.
The Irish Independent was informed by the US PGA champion in 2008 on Wednesday:
It goes without saying that Rory might find clarity in such situation. I’m not sure, though, because he’s won the past two weeks. I’m not sure.
It’s all really personal, you know. I’ve seen folks who had personal issues, and in those cases, the golf field turned into a safe haven. They cannot be questioned publicly. They have resumed their regular operations.
However, I have observed other people who felt uncomfortable simply by being outside. I simply have no idea where it will sit. And there’s no way to know.
“No one can possibly assure me that there is a predetermined, guaranteed cause and consequence. In golf, there never is.”
At McIlroy’s press conference on Wednesday, his team pleaded urgently with reporters not to probe the Northern Irishman about his “private life.”
The request was reportedly rejected by one reporter, who instead inquired about McIlroy’s feelings “on a personal level.”
To his credit, McIlroy responded succinctly and then ended the conversation.
This week, McIlroy is attempting to win his fifth major of his career—but more significantly, it’s his first major in almost a decade.
The four-time major champion, who won the US PGA the last time it was held at Valhalla in 2014, is feeling strong going into this week.
It was his second US PGA victory.
In 2012, McIlroy made history by winning the prestigious Wanamaker Trophy for the first time at Kiawah Island with an eight-shot victory.
Additionally, in 2011 and 2014, he won the US Open and The Open.
All McIlroy needs to do to complete the career grand slam is to don a green jacket at The Masters.
At odds of 6/1, McIlroy is the second favorite in the betting to win this week’s US PGA.
As the World No. 1 attempts to win back-to-back majors and a fifth championship in his last six PGA Tour events, Scottie Scheffler is the hot favorite at 4/1.
