Major champion gives Rory McIlroy divorce verdict ahead of US PGA

Padraig Harrington believes Rory McIlroy's bid to win a first major title in nearly 10 years at this week's US PGA could go one of two very different ways following shock news of his divorce on Monday. 

Three-time major champion Harrington, 52, believes Valhalla could prove something of a 'haven' for McIlroy following news he had 'filed for divorce' with wife Erica Stoll.

McIlroy and Stoll got married in 2017 and they share a young daughter named Poppy. 

TMZ said: "Reasons for the breakup were not made immediately available. We've reached out to McIlroy's attorney for comment, but so far, no word back yet."

Speaking to the Irish Independent on the eve of the second major of the season, and Harrington is hopeful there could be some form of 'clarity' for McIlroy out on the golf course this week, even if he has chalked up back-to-back wins on the PGA Tour. 

But the Irishman also thinks McIlroy could find things a little 'uncomfortable' out there if his head is not quite in the game this week. 

Related: 

• McIlroy shuts down reporter's unruly 'personal' question after filing for divorce before US PGA
• Koepka trolls (?!) McIlroy hours after shock divorce announcement
• Court docs reveal why Rory McIlroy split from wife Erica Stoll

Harrington has seen things go one or two different ways for fellow players that have experienced off-course issues during competition down the years. 

The 2008 US PGA champion told the Irish Independent on Wednesday: 

"Obviously, with Rory, you know, there could be clarity there for him. 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.

"But then I've seen others where, you know, just being out there, they weren't comfortable. So I just don't know where it's going to sit. And it's impossible to tell.

"There's no way anybody can tell me that there's a guaranteed, set cause and effect. There never is in golf."

McIlroy's team issued an urgent plea for journalists to not ask the Northern Irishman any questions about his 'private life' during his Wednesday press conference. 

Only one reporter seemingly thought better of the request as he asked McIlroy how he was feeling 'on a personal level'.

To McIlroy's credit, he gave a short and sweet response as he shut the subject down quickly. 

Read more on that here. 

McIlroy is bidding to capture his fifth career major title this week, but more importantly his first major in nearly 10 years.

The four-time major champion has good vibes heading into this week having won the US PGA when it was last staged at Valhalla in 2014. 

That marked his second US PGA triumph. 

McIlroy etched his name on the famous Wanamaker Trophy for the first time with an eight-shot romp at Kiawah Island in 2012.

He also won the US Open in 2011 and The Open in 2014. 

McIlroy just needs to slip on a green jacket at The Masters to complete the career grand slam. 

McIlroy is the second favourite in the betting to win the US PGA this week at odds of 6/1.

Scottie Scheffler is the red-hot favourite at 4/1 as the World No.1 looks to win back-to-back majors and a fifth title in his last six tournaments on the PGA Tour. 

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