Following his filing for divorce from his wife of seven years, Erica Stoll, the golfer from Co. Down, Pádraig Harrington shared his thoughts on Rory McIlroy’s mental state.
Following his victory with Shane Lowry in the Zurich Classic and his subsequent triumph at the Wells Fargo Championship last weekend, McIlroy’s personal life has been in turmoil.
The USPGA Championship, which takes place this weekend, is expected to be won by him and Scottie Scheffler, but the news of McIlroy’s divorce only surfaced a few days ago.
Following the claims’ confirmation by the golfer’s communication staff, fans have conjectured about whether McIlroy will be thinking about the incident at Valhalla.
Harrington has shared his thoughts on the matter and how he believes golfers typically handle problems in their personal lives. Harrington will also be teeing off on the Kentucky course.
“You know, there might be clarity there for Rory,” the Dubliner remarked. “I’m not sure, but 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.
Nobody can possibly convince me that there is a certain, guaranteed cause and consequence. In golf, there never is.
McIlroy wants to end the long drought.
This weekend, McIlroy will be hoping that Valhalla may be his sanctuary as he attempts to snap a ten-year drought without a major victory.
Along with Dustin Johnson and Justin Rose, he will be teeing off on Thursday at 1.15 p.m. Irish time. Harrington will start at 7.35 p.m., and Lowry at 6.18 p.m.
