Rory McIlroy dodged a question about his divorce from Erica Stoll at his pre-USPGA Championship press conference on Wednesday.
The Co. Down golfer filed for divorce from his wife of seven years Erica Stoll, and fans have since speculated on whether the situation will be playing on McIlroy's mind at Valhalla.
McIlroy is among the favourites to win this weekend, and during the press conference he fielded a number of questions about his recent good form heading into the competition.
Despite the PGA making it clear that McIlroy wouldn't be fielding questions on the divorce, one reporter asked how his how his energy levels were and how he was doing personally. To this, McIlroy simply replied: "I'm ready to play."
Rory McIlroy heads into USPGA on the back of divorce news
The upheaval in McIlroy's personal life comes on the back of an upturn in form on the golf course, after he won the Zurich Classic alongside Shane Lowry, before following that up with victory at the Wells Fargo Championship last weekend.
Answering questions about his game, McIlroy said that he is feeling confident in the technical aspects of his golf at the moment, and added that he only has vague memories of winning this event at the same course 10 years ago.
Speaking earlier, Pádraig Harrington opined that the divorce could provide "clarity" for McIlroy as he aims to end a decade-long drought since he last won a major.
"With Rory, you know, there could be clarity there for him," said the Dubliner. "But he's won the last two weeks so I don't know. I have no idea.
“You know, it's all very personal. I've seen people who've had stuff going on off the golf course and the golf course becomes a haven. Nobody can ask them the question out there. They are back at business as usual."
Irish golfer USPGA tee times
McIlroy will hope that Valhalla can be his haven this weekend, as he looks to end his long wait for major success.
He will be teeing off at 1.15pm Irish time on Thursday, alongside Dustin Johnson and Justin Rose, with Lowry starting at 6.18pm and Harrington at 7.35pm.
See Also: Quiz: Name Every Golf Major Winner Of The 21st Century
