McIlroy shuts down unruly 'personal' question after filing for divorce before PGA

Rory McIlroy's team urged journalists to not ask any 'private' questions on the eve of the US PGA, but one reporter tried his best to eke out some comments following news of his divorce.

Andy Roberts

15 May 2024

Rory McIlroy's team specifically asked the media to not ask any questions about the Northern Irishman's private life following shock news that he had 'filed for divorce' with wife Erica Stoll on the eve of this week's US PGA at Valhalla.

But that did not stop one reporter from going against such a request.

The World No.2 bowed his head as the PGA moderator confirmed Team McIlroy's plea for all reporters to refuse asking any questions about his private life following confirmation divorce papers had been submitted in Florida.

McIlroy is refusing questions about his private life

A PGA official began McIlroy's presser with:

"I believe you all saw the statement yesterday from Rory's communication team specifically that he will not be making any additional comments on his private life, so thank you all for respecting his wishes."

Despite Team McIlroy's plea for all of the attending media to steer clear of any 'private' questions, Barstool Sports' Dan Rapaport sneakily tried to eke out some words as to how McIlroy was feeling 'on a personal level'.

Dan Rapaport asked Rory McIlroy:

"It's been quite a few years for you. How are your energy levels and, on a personal level, how are you doing?"

“I’m ready to play this week” pic.twitter.com/pFbndsqsbP
— TRACKING RORY (@TrackingRory) May 15, 2024

Rapaport asked McIlroy:

"It's been quite a few years for you. How are your energy levels, and just on a personal level, how are you doing?"

McIlroy, to his credit, just shrugged his shoulders and quickly shut things down:

"I'm ready to play this week."

Cue tumbleweed.

Here's how a number of golf fans reacted to Rapaport's cheeky question...

Golf fans were not amused with Rapaport's Q

Reporters were asked not to ask 'private' questions

Off the back of two straight wins on the PGA Tour heading into the year's second major, McIlroy is understandably full of confidence in his game as he bids to win a fifth career major and his first in nearly 10 years.

McIlroy won a record fourth Wells Fargo last week

McIlroy is also safe in the knowledge he has won around this week's venue, Valhalla.

That came at the 2014 US PGA.

"The golf course is a little different than it was 10 years ago, a little longer," said McIlroy.

"A couple little minor changes but for the most part pretty much the same that I can remember from 10 years ago.

"But yeah, look, game feels good coming off the back of two wins, a fun one in New Orleans with Shane, and then a really good performance last week.

"Just trying to keep the momentum going."

McIlroy also expressed 'concern' over the PGA Tour's ongoing framework agreement with the Saudi Public Investment Fund, just a week after it was confirmed he had been rejected a return to the policy board by Tiger Woods and others.

The four-time major champion believes this week's resignation of Jimmy Dunne is a 'huge loss' for the PGA Tour in its goal to eventually sign off a deal with the PIF.