Despite a promising start in Thursday's opening round, it was not to be for Rory McIlroy at the PGA Championship this week.
Returning to the Valhalla (the site of his win in this tournament back in 2014) and having been in sensational form at the Wells Fargo Championship the previous week, hopes were high that the 35-year old would make a good go of ending his decade-long major drought.
His play on Thursday suggested a win could be on the cards, although McIlroy was not able to maintain that pace over the days that followed. A level par round of 71 halted his progress, and while rounds of 68 and 67 would follow, it was not enough to keep pace with the leaders in what was the lowest scoring major of all-time.
In the end, Rory McIlroy would have to settle for a finish of tied-12th.
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Rory McIlroy made return to Ireland after PGA Championship
While there was quite a bit of focus on Rory McIlroy's hunt for a fifth major this week, there was also plenty of discussion about his life away from the course.
It was reported prior to the tournament that he was set to divorce from wife Erica Stoll, with the couple having been married for seven years and sharing one daughter together.
McIlroy avoided questions about his personal life both before and during the tournament, and once his final round was done yesterday, he made a swift exit from Kentucky.
No Laying Up reported that the Holywood native left Valhalla just minutes after the end of his round, signing his card before exiting in an awaiting courtesy car.
He did have time for a quick chat with reporters, where he said he would be taken next week off before gearing up for the US Open in mid-June.
Obviously started the week well, and then I've obviously played decent over the weekend. As I said, that sort of six-hole stretch on the back nine yesterday, not being able to hole any putts, I'll probably rue that.
Then the 71 on Friday, as well, was obviously not what I was looking for. Obviously put myself too far back.
Overall playing solid, game is in good shape, and I've got a week off and then another busy stretch coming up...
I've been on a big stretch of golf here. I think this was my sixth event in seven weeks.
I've got a week off and then I'm playing another four in a row. I'm feeling good about my game. I feel like things are sort of clicking more, especially after the win in New Orleans. Obviously played well last week in Charlotte. Have a week here to sort of reset and try to get going again.
It has been suggested that Rory McIlroy will spend that time off in his homeland.
The golfer's private jet was scheduled for a flight to Belfast from Kentucky yesterday, and while it is not certain that the player himself was aboard, it seems likely that he will spend the coming days in Ulster before eventually making his way back across the Atlantic.
#Breaking - Rory McIlroy's plane #N585RM is leaving Louisville in the next few minutes to a desination across the pond - Belfast #EGAC. The plane is taxiing now and it will be a 6h55m flight. #RoryMcIlroy pic.twitter.com/XQhw0k2WEh
— radaratlas2 (@radaratlas2) May 20, 2024
With Rory McIlroy set to take next weekend off, he will then presumably play in the Canadian Open and Memorial Tournament before the US Open gets underway at Pinehurst on June 13th.
Considering the attention on him at the moment, he might well feel that a few days to decompress back in his homeland would serve him well ahead of those tournaments.
UPDATE: McIlroy's plane did not stay too long in Pisa. By 11.45am this morning, it was back in the skies, and heading for Pisa.
#RoryMcIlroy's airplane #N585RM is on the move again. This time to Pisa, Italy pic.twitter.com/RsZEHEJq6M
— radaratlas2 (@radaratlas2) May 20, 2024
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