Rory McIlroy admits he Change your mind and stop filing for divorce and wife Erica Stoll He decided to leave the sports world earlier this summer after “realizing what was really important.”
McIlroy, 35, filed for divorce from his wife, Erica, in May on the eve of the PGA tournament at Valhalla.
But ahead of the season's next major, the US Open, in June, McIlroy confirmed they were not getting divorced and that he had resolved his differences with his wife of seven years.
Erica and Rory have one daughter, Poppy, born in 2020.
World number three McIlroy spoke on the course this week for an interview on The Late Late Show with Patrick Kielty, during which he discussed his ups and downs season on and off the course.
Scroll below to watch the interview…
McIlroy has won three times so far this season, first successfully defending his title at the DP World Tour's Dubai Desert Classic, then winning the PGA Tour's Zurich Classic alongside Sean Lowry and capturing the Wells Fargo Championship.
His PGA Tour victory came after McIlroy announced his divorce from wife Erica, amid speculation that he was developing a romance with CBS reporter Amanda Balionis.
McIlroy eventually denied the claims and confirmed that he would not be pursuing the divorce.
“There have been some rumours about my personal life recently, which is unfortunate,” McIlroy told The Guardian before the US Open in June. “It would be foolish to respond to every rumour.”
He added: “Over the past few weeks, Erica and I have come to realize that our best future is together as a family. Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and are looking forward to a new beginning.”
However, it has been another frustrating season for McIlroy in the majors, most notably missing two short putts in the final holes of the U.S. Open to hand the title to Bryson DeChambeau of LIV Golf.
That match was traumatic for McIlroy and he needed some time to clear his head.
Earlier this season, some of his peers urged McIlroy to return to the PGA Tour board to help develop a framework agreement with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), but he was ultimately overruled and did not return.
The Northern Irishman stepped down from the PGA Tour board at the end of 2023 as he wanted to spend more time with his family and focus on his golf game.
McIlroy later revealed details about why he was not allowed back on the PGA Tour board but remained involved in the PIF negotiations because he remained on the PGA Tour's Transactions Committee.
The Ulster man intends to significantly reduce his playing schedule in 2024 to spend more time with his family and be in top form in the four major championships.
McIlroy's new TGL with Tiger Woods is also due to start in early 2025, which will take up a lot of his time.
Rory McIlroy: “Life can be filled with a lot, but it can also be filled with too much”
In a pre-recorded interview aired during this week’s Irish Open at Royal County Down, McIlroy explained that clearing his head was key to finally deciding to call off his divorce from wife Erica this summer, as he spoke to his good friend Kielty on the course.
McIlroy told Kitty:
“I think sometimes life can be so rich, but it can also be so heavy.
“A lot has happened this year, golf-wise and certainly personally.
“I have to take a break from the game.
“Golf and my golf career have been so overwhelming for the past few years that I need to take some time to realize what is truly important to me.
“Friends, family, enjoying life, enjoying your growth from a little boy in Hollywood to who I am today, I need to enjoy this time.”
Click here to watch the full interview
McIlroy also spoke to Kielty about his daughter Poppy, confirming her growing interest in the game of golf.
“We bought her her first real club for her birthday this year,” McIlroy said.
“She's kind of interested, and if she was really interested I'd support it 100 percent, but at the same time I wouldn't mind her doing something different.
“It’s not just about being an athlete, it’s all the other aspects that go along with it.
“Especially in this age of social media, you have to deal with all kinds of things. So if your daughter is a victim, you do your best to protect her.”
McIlroy will be looking for his second title this weekend at the Irish Open at his home in Royal County Down.
He currently leads the DP World Tour Rankings and is close to equaling Seve Ballesteros's feat of winning six Harry Vardon Trophies.
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