Rory McIlroy says the reasons behind his RBC Heritage no-show last month were due to personal reasons and prioritising his ‘mental and emotional wellbeing.’
McIlroy hasn’t played since missing the cut at the Masters at Easter as his quest for a first major in nine years and the career grand slam failed to get off the ground. What was arguably more alarming was that he withdrew from the designated PGA Tour event at the RBC Heritage the following week – which cost him $3 million in fines.
The four-time major champion is in the field this week as he bids for a fourth Wells Fargo Championship title at Quail Hollow – the site of his maiden PGA TOUR triumph – although he is not slated in for media duties.
“I needed a break for me,” McIlroy told Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis. “Obviously, after the disappointment of Augusta, and it’s been a pretty taxing 12 months mentally, so it was nice to just try to disconnect a little bit and get away from it.
“But it’s nice to come back and feel refreshed and I think we’re on a pretty busy run here from now until after the playoffs so I’m excited to get going.
“I think it was a combination of a few things, and just after the disappointment of Augusta and how I played there, it was just more for my mental and emotional well-being I just needed to be at home for those few weeks but as I said, looking forward to getting back this week.”
He added: “I think I’m in a better headspace than I was…Yeah, you know, that run-up to Augusta is always a stressful enough couple of weeks trying making sure everything’s in the right order and making sure your game’s in good shape.
“I think for me it was a nice reset because I still had to realise that there’s three more majors this year, there’s a ton left to play for.”
McIlroy declined to address the media following his early exit at Augusta National and he was scheduled to field questions from the assembled media in Hilton Head before withdrawing from the RBC Heritage.
Scottie Scheffler and world number one Jon Rahm are not part of the field this week as they skip their first designated PGA TOUR events.
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