Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler both won their final events before the US PGA this week. But that’s where the similarities between the world’s two best players end.
While the Masters champion and world No.1 arrived in Kentucky following the birth of his first kid, the world No.2 filed for divorce from his wife Erica after seven years together.
However, this will not be the first time the Ulsterman has performed at a major event following a high-profile relationship split and personal strife. And he will be looking for the same reaction.
He won the 2014 BMW PGA after canceling his engagement with Caroline Wozniacki on the eve of the tournament, after the wedding invitations had been sent out. McIlroy then won two majors that summer, including the US PGA in Kentucky.
The Ryder Cup star claimed “the stars are aligning” to end his 10-year Major drought after winning back-to-back tournaments before to the US PGA at Valhalla, much as in 2014.
McIlroy’s return to form has occurred despite his return to the battleground of golf politics this month. And, speaking in North Carolina following his most recent victory, he hinted at his plans for the day before filing divorce proceedings in a Florida court on Monday.
“I’ve always been able to compartmentalise pretty well,” McIlroy stated. “I seem to for whatever reason play very good golf whenever I have a lot of stuff going on.”
Scheffler has won four of his past five events, including his most recent participation at the RBC Heritage, but skipped Quail Hollow to be home in Texas.
“It was obviously a huge moment in my life and Meredith’s, so it was nice to get a lot of stuff out of the way and share the joy of that moment together with friends I’d not seen for a few weeks,” said the two-time Masters champion.
“I took a longer leave than I would have liked, but I wouldn’t have changed it for anything because it was so nice to stay at home, spend time with him and Meredith, and be a dad for a few days. Yeah, that was a good time in the Scheffler.
Leave a Reply