Rory McIlroy is stepping away from the golf course, seeking mental clarity after a tumultuous few months. The 36-year-old golfer announced he will take a two-week break following a tie for sixth at the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut.
“I think more so than anything else it’ll just be good for me mentally to take a little bit of a break and get back to my neck of the woods, get back to the U.K. for a little bit,” McIlroy stated to reporters after his final round on June 22.
Currently, McIlroy and his wife, Erica Stoll, are in the midst of constructing a new mansion in England. The couple, who share a four-year-old daughter named Poppy, plan to divide their time between the U.K. and their residence in Florida.
“I’m excited for that and I’ve alluded to the fact I probably haven’t taken enough time off or time to reflect after what happened in April,” he continued, referencing his first Masters victory. “So I’m excited to do a little bit of that over these next two weeks.”
That Masters win was significant, marking McIlroy as only the sixth golfer in history to achieve a career grand slam. However, since that triumph, he has struggled to find his form, failing to finish in the top five in any of the six tournaments he has played.
After placing 19th at the U.S. Open earlier this month, McIlroy expressed the challenges of balancing his dual roles as a father and a professional athlete. “I feel like I live two different lives,” he remarked. “I’m a dad and a husband when I’m away from here, and then I’m who I am when I’m here. It’s always nice to get away and feel a bit of normality.”
His performance on the course has drawn scrutiny, particularly his behavior at the U.S. Open where he was seen damaging a tee marker and throwing his club in frustration. This conduct has not gone unnoticed by fans and analysts alike.
Irish golf legend Paul McGinley commented on McIlroy’s demeanor, suggesting that he appears overwhelmed. “He looks fed up to me,” McGinley observed after the U.S. Open. “He looks like he’s had enough of everything. Whether it was the emotional release of everything that’s gone on in his career, I don’t know. But he’s not himself. This is not normal.”
McIlroy is set to return to competitive play at the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick, Scotland, starting July 10.
