Golf

Rory McIlroy’s divorce news features in chaotic build-up to US PGA Championship

Tiger Woods still unable to commit to Ryder Cup captaincy as thunderstorms lead to press conferences being scrapped

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts on the driving range during a practice round at Valhalla. Photograph: Michael Reaves/Getty
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts on the driving range during a practice round at Valhalla. Photograph: Michael Reaves/Getty
Ewan Murray at Valhalla
Tue May 14 2024 - 20:42

On one of the more chaotic days in the buildup to a major championship thunderstorms disrupted practice sessions, interviews were cancelled and then reinstated, Tiger Woods said he may not have time to become the Ryder Cup captain and shock news emerged that Rory McIlroy has filed for divorce. If this was a sign of things to come, Valhalla and the 106th staging of the US PGA Championship could prove quite the scene.

Weather disruption was a theme when McIlroy won this event at Valhalla in 2014, his last major success. The threat of electric storms caused play to be halted shortly before 10am on Tuesday, with pre-event media conferences for the remainder of the day scrapped. More inclement conditions feature in the forecast for the remainder of this week, which is sure to cause anxiety among the hierarchy of the PGA of America.

A break in conditions allowed players to return to the course and the likes of Woods to face the media. News subsequently broke that McIlroy had lodged court papers in Florida on Monday, aimed at bringing an end to his marriage of seven years to Erica Stoll. A spokesperson for the world number two stressed his desire “to ensure this difficult time is as respectful and amicable as possible”.

McIlroy has said he will make no further comment on the matter but that will be put immediately to the test; he is due to hold a media conference in Kentucky on Wednesday afternoon. McIlroy arrived at Valhalla with back-to-back wins on the PGA Tour, including in dominant style in Charlotte on Sunday.

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The PGA of America has been keen for some time that Woods leads the US at Bethpage next September. However, the 15-times major winner has refused to commit fully to the Ryder Cup captaincy despite a series of meetings. As a board member of the PGA Tour, Woods has been heavily immersed in talks aimed at potentially unifying elite golf. The Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) remains keen on striking a deal which would see the rebel LIV Tour align to an extent with established bodies.

“We’re still talking,” Woods said of the Ryder Cup scenario. “There’s nothing that has been confirmed yet. We’re still working on what that might look like. Also whether or not I have the time to do it.

“I’m dedicating so much time to what we’re doing with the PGA Tour, I don’t want to not fulfil the role of the captaincy if I can’t do it. What that all entails, representing team USA and the commitments to the PGA of America, the players and the fans, I need to feel that I can give the amount of time that it deserves.” That said, the clock is ticking; Luke Donald was confirmed as Europe’s captain for their New York defence last November.

Scepticism around the likelihood of an agreement between the PGA Tour and PIF increased on Monday, when the influential businessman Jimmy Dunne resigned from the Tour’s policy board. Dunne claimed his role had become “superfluous” and bemoaned a lack of “meaningful progress”. In a letter to Tour members, Dunne said: “Unifying professional golf is paramount to restoring fan interest and repairing wounds left from a fractured game.”

Woods admitted surprise that Dunne had stepped away. “We’re working on negotiations with PIF,” Woods said. “It’s ongoing, it’s fluid, it changes day-to-day. Has there been progress? Yes. But it’s an ongoing negotiation, so a lot of work ahead for all of us with this process. We’re making steps and it may not be giant steps, but we’re making steps.”

Despite multiple injury setbacks, Woods remains typically bullish on his on-course prospects. He made the cut at the Masters last month but finished in 60th place. “I still feel that I can win golf tournaments,” the 48-year-old said. “I still feel I can hit the shots and still feel like I still have my hand around the greens and I can putt. I just need to do it for all four days, not like I did at Augusta for only two.” - Guardian